Lawsuit Against God article.
I have a problem when God refuses to be accountable...he could of at least sent a prophet to speak for Him!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Life After Death
There are many views of life after death. Here are a few options, if I've left some out feel free to let me know. I'd love to hear what view you hold and why...
- We go to heaven is paradise with God, literal streets of gold, a literal tree of life, and a crystal clear river that proceeds from God's throne. Or, we go to a literal hell where our flesh burns forever in darkness outside of God's presence.
- We attain different levels of heaven depending on how we lived on earth.
- We go to an intermediate, neutral place where we await a bodily resurrection.
- Heaven and hell are considered metaphors for our bliss or regret over what we have done and how we have lived in our time on this earth.
- When we die our body rots in the ground and nothing about us continues to exist. (annihilation)
- Our energy continues to exist (it cannot be created or destroyed), but there is no soul/spirit/self that is conscious.
- Our soul /spirit is reborn into a human fetus or newborn child.
- Our soul/spirit/energy is reborn into another living entity, not necessarily human.
- There is not enough information to make a solid decision. I don't know.
- The issue is immaterial to how I live here and now. I don't care.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Letting Go
Interesting discussion here.
Here is my comment on "letting go".
It's funny that you blog about "letting go". I told my wife the other day that life is just a series of letting go's. Actually, that's not quite accurate though. Our early life is a series of desiring, grasping, clinging, building, striving... Our ego's are developing, we are finding out "who we are", our likes and dislikes, our attractions and aversions. We we worry about losing what we have gained, we want to gain more, rise higher...my teen and preteen are right in the middle of it, and while I know where the ego ends, it is a necessary part of life for them, so I have to "let them go" too.
At 40 years old I realized that, if I live to an average age for a man (certainly no guarantees), half of my life was over. What did I want the other half to be like? Did I like who I was? What I was doing? So, I made some changes that have led to interacting with the world, and people and my ego in a completely different way. Instead of having this low level static of general discontent in my life, I've rested in who I am, and the circumstances I'm in, like sitting in a comfortable easy chair perfectly molded to my body after years of use.
I believe the reason that "letting go" is huge part of the spiritual journey is that grasping, clinging, holding, striving etc. produces suffering. In my ego, I want things to last forever, but nothing does, so I suffer. In my ego, I want to be the center of everything, but I'm just one of billions. In my ego, I believe I own my possessions, but in reality they are only mine until someone else wants them more, they get lost, or they get destroyed. I want those I love to stay forever, but they will leave. In my ego, I want to live forever, but someday I will die. And so, I suffer.
All these realizations entail "letting go". At the end of "letting go" there is freedom.
Here is my comment on "letting go".
It's funny that you blog about "letting go". I told my wife the other day that life is just a series of letting go's. Actually, that's not quite accurate though. Our early life is a series of desiring, grasping, clinging, building, striving... Our ego's are developing, we are finding out "who we are", our likes and dislikes, our attractions and aversions. We we worry about losing what we have gained, we want to gain more, rise higher...my teen and preteen are right in the middle of it, and while I know where the ego ends, it is a necessary part of life for them, so I have to "let them go" too.
At 40 years old I realized that, if I live to an average age for a man (certainly no guarantees), half of my life was over. What did I want the other half to be like? Did I like who I was? What I was doing? So, I made some changes that have led to interacting with the world, and people and my ego in a completely different way. Instead of having this low level static of general discontent in my life, I've rested in who I am, and the circumstances I'm in, like sitting in a comfortable easy chair perfectly molded to my body after years of use.
I believe the reason that "letting go" is huge part of the spiritual journey is that grasping, clinging, holding, striving etc. produces suffering. In my ego, I want things to last forever, but nothing does, so I suffer. In my ego, I want to be the center of everything, but I'm just one of billions. In my ego, I believe I own my possessions, but in reality they are only mine until someone else wants them more, they get lost, or they get destroyed. I want those I love to stay forever, but they will leave. In my ego, I want to live forever, but someday I will die. And so, I suffer.
All these realizations entail "letting go". At the end of "letting go" there is freedom.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Silence and Death
Sorry about the silence lately. I've started a new job on second shift and I'm trying to get adjusted. I've got lots going on, but not much time to share at the moment.
I was hired because the person on my shift was out on leave for six months. I could get the hint that it was a serious medical condition, but they really couldn't tell me what was going on. It turns out that he has terminal cancer and it's aggressive. He is the nicest gentleman, which has made what could have been an awkward situation be a blessing for both of us. He is also a man of strong Christian faith.
We have had the opportunity to talk about one of the deepest subjects there is: death. We've had the opportunity to share our beliefs, doubts and curiosities about the subject. And share a few tears. I consider it a privledge to be there at this time.
It's interesting how all of the things I've been learning fit this situation: non-judgment, awareness, suffering and freedom. I've used them all, or maybe they have used me.
It's interesting to be aware of my emotions when death is discussed. There used to be fear. Now it is more like a calm resolution. Why fight it? It will happen. I don't know exactly what waits after death. But based on the beauty, diversity and complexity of our bodies, the world, the universe....I believe it will be pretty cool.
So, for now....silence until my next post.
I was hired because the person on my shift was out on leave for six months. I could get the hint that it was a serious medical condition, but they really couldn't tell me what was going on. It turns out that he has terminal cancer and it's aggressive. He is the nicest gentleman, which has made what could have been an awkward situation be a blessing for both of us. He is also a man of strong Christian faith.
We have had the opportunity to talk about one of the deepest subjects there is: death. We've had the opportunity to share our beliefs, doubts and curiosities about the subject. And share a few tears. I consider it a privledge to be there at this time.
It's interesting how all of the things I've been learning fit this situation: non-judgment, awareness, suffering and freedom. I've used them all, or maybe they have used me.
It's interesting to be aware of my emotions when death is discussed. There used to be fear. Now it is more like a calm resolution. Why fight it? It will happen. I don't know exactly what waits after death. But based on the beauty, diversity and complexity of our bodies, the world, the universe....I believe it will be pretty cool.
So, for now....silence until my next post.
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