Posts by cognizant dissident

161

What if you're missing the purpose?

by journey-on in

jw
friends

for those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?

what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?

the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.

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

36

As Time Goes By - Do they all begin to look alike to you?

by AK - Jeff in

i mean, religions.. while i am far from being anti-religious, organized religion, especially of the more 'fundamental' sort, is all beginning to blend into the same puddle for me.

i have not given up on god, or spirituality, and in fact still consider myself christian.

i just don't feel any desire at this point to participate in the formal nature of religious groups at all.

cognizant dissident

I think religion is all essentially the same in some very fundamental ways. I include paganism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and even Buddhism. They all, without exception, try to explain what humans do not know and want to know. How did we get here, what happens after we die, and what rules do we have to live by while we are here to get the reward after we die. They all tell a slightly different but similiar story to answer these questions. The names and personalities of the supernatural deities who supposedly created us differ but the essence is the same. The rules of living differ slightly from religion to religion but their purpose is the same. Many of the rules/morals for living are beneficial but many are controlling and are all about the few at the top of the heirarchy having power over the many at the bottom of the heirarchy.

I am currently learning about Buddhist philosophy although I do not consider myself a Buddhist. Originally, this was not even intended to be a religion or required a belief in God. However, human nature being what it is, over the centuries, Buddhist followers organized into very formal religious like structures with temples, monks, rules, etc. Different views and cultures resulted in the development of different schools of Buddhist thoughts with resulting ego clashes, competition and in some cases even violence (which is very against original Buddhist teachings).

I think the differences between religions is superficial at best. Until people learn to transcend their need for stories and rules for each other and can look with awareness at themselves and their fellow humans and ask questions such as is this action harmful to myself, to others, to the community as a whole, then I believe religious structures and wars will pretty much continue as they always have.

Cog

161

What if you're missing the purpose?

by journey-on in

jw
friends

for those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?

what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?

the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.

cognizant dissident

Who ya calling crazy? Even if the whole world be proved crazy, let ~~God~~ Cog be found sane!

Since we have already determined that music is directly related to the purpose of life, I will not be off topic to ask who you are going to listen to in concert? Cajun by any chance?

Some days, alcohol and coffee should definitely come into play. Ignore what I said earlier about no stimulants or relaxants. I had a big cup of coffee this morning and felt so much better and more energized to engage in life. Perhaps stimulants and relaxants are also part of the purpose of life. Yes? Otherwise why would they have been created/evolved and why would we have enjoyed the gift/adapted to them so well?

Enjoy! Drive safe!

Cog

161

What if you're missing the purpose?

by journey-on in

jw
friends

for those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?

what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?

the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.

cognizant dissident

Maybe they're suggesting that Cajun music IS the purpose of life Cog.

Point well taken nvrgnbk! I just thought he was dissing our topic a little and all our eloquent attempts at profundity (is that even a word?)

However, listening to music (Cajun or otherwise), dancing, socializing with good friends, beautiful art, poetry and prose, these ARE the things that make life beautiful and worth living aren't they? Those are the things I always end up turning to in order to lift my spirits when I am feeling blue and wondering what is the point of it all. Maybe the point of it all is to enjoy ourselves and help others to enjoy themselves by developing our own gifts in music, art, writing, or just entertaining others and making them feel warm, welcome and loved. I believe we all have our unique talents to contribute. Mine is adding unnecessary existential angst and unanswerable questions to already long threads!

So what do you think? Have we solved the purpose of life yet? Can we let this thread die a natural death with dignity or should we beat it some more?

161

What if you're missing the purpose?

by journey-on in

jw
friends

for those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?

what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?

the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.

cognizant dissident

Well, you know, discussing the purpose of life was the original topic of this thread.

If you preferred to discuss Cajun music, you could have always started your own thread to do so.

Cog

161

What if you're missing the purpose?

by journey-on in

jw
friends

for those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?

what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?

the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.

cognizant dissident

This is something known as The Dark Night of the Soul. It happens to most all spiritual seekers at some point.

What, only one night? My soul seems to have many dark nights. But thanks Journey-on, I realize what you are saying. We are really not alone in this journey. It just feels like it sometimes.

Also, I agree with what you said in your last post. Even though I am an atheist and don't believe the Bible is the Word of God, that does not mean that there is no wisdom to be found between it's pages. Many of the Proverbs and teachings in Ecclesiastes contain wisdom as do some of the teachings of Jesus. I do think that it is possible to learn from and show respect for wisdom regardless of which cultural or religious tradition it comes from. The important thing is not to lose our own sense of perception and awareness so that we become deluded by or enslaved to someone else's story.

Cog

161

What if you're missing the purpose?

by journey-on in

jw
friends

for those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?

what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?

the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.

cognizant dissident

keep up the good fight brother.

OK, I will, but just for the record, I am a "sister" not a "brother"!

Cog

161

What if you're missing the purpose?

by journey-on in

jw
friends

for those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?

what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?

the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.

cognizant dissident

Ahh James! My kindred spirit. If I ever meet you in person, you know I'm going to propose don't you?

It has been my experience that the universe expresses infinitely in form and rhythm; and the human psych is no different: good days, bad days, mediocre days....and sometimes long stretches of down days.

I have only found unconditional peace when I let it all be, and not identify with disturbance and disquiet as what I am.

As usual, you are both wise and positive. I am learning the truth of what you say. Down days, pissy moods, they all pass in their own time, just like the good moods. No need to try too hard to hurry them on, that only seems to make them last longer doesn't it? I just left my computer for a while to go for a walk after a summer rain. My negative mood has already improved a little. Being in nature does bring calm and tranquility and understanding that we don't really have any choice but to just "let it all be" because it will "be" whether we let it or not!

I think that my body and mind are just adjusting to the lack of adrenaline and sense of urgency I learned as a JW. After all, if the sky is not falling, how do we motivate ourselves? I'm trying to live without coffee, stimulants, anti-depressants or any mood altering substances whatsoever. Just let the moods and emotions ebb and flow naturally. It's really amazing how flat everything seems for a while. Some days, I think, "this is reality? It really sucks! or it is really boring!" Then I get interested in something and it passes. Yes, no need to take it all so seriously as if my temporary mood is who I am.

Cog

161

What if you're missing the purpose?

by journey-on in

jw
friends

for those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?

what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?

the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.

cognizant dissident

I agree Bigdreaux. Don't get me wrong. I have no intention of ever going back. How could any of us? We cannot "unknow" what we "know".

The journey out of delusion is definitely a worthwhile one. I was just acknowledging that sometimes it is also a more difficult one, and a lonelier one. When I told my father, the PO, that I wasn't a witness anymore, he told me I was choosing the easy way out. I nearly burst out laughing. No, thinking for yourself and figuring out the meaning of your own life, and going against everyone you ever knew and loved, that is the hard way, not the easy way. But still, definitely worth it!

Cog

161

What if you're missing the purpose?

by journey-on in

jw
friends

for those of you who espouse the philosophy that one needs to discard who we "think" we are and embrace the "reality" of who we really are, what if, there is a divine purpose to our miniscule existence in the here and now and that purpose is to experience the pull of opposite forces (duality), and you are missing it by not allowing yourself to experience the ego self?

what if you are missing the whole purpose of this pull of pain and joy by trying to suppress it or place yourself outside of it?

the below is a short story sent to me by a friend and it is an example of what i'm inferring.

cognizant dissident

Good point, Changeling. Yes, it is a kind of freedom to decide your own purpose in life and not have it dictated to by others. I experience that freedom and it is a good feeling. What comes with the feeling, which is a downside, is that "IT IS ALL UP TO ME!". I often feel very alone and disconnected from others and community because of this. Tell me how do you cope with the flipside of this?

Cog