Sunmaster

25 minutes ago, Chris Daley said:

Still not sure about this God thing.  Why does God steal candy from babies?

 

My girlfriend was making some ice cream for her family's little girls.  The blender was broken.  Not sure why God broke it but okay we went out and bought a new one.  After a hard days work we went to Tesco and bought a blender for 900 baht.  I boasted about how it was a British brand so it must be good.  When we got home the spoon was missing from the box and the speed settings are fake.  It shows 4 speed settings but it just jumps from off to on.  Some freak actually painted on lines that look like speed settings.  Well that's the first time I have seen a blender without basic 3 speeds on it.  So the blade and design is very shallow.  It just spins at the bottom and the mix doesn't mix.

 

Hope you're happy god.

Thanks for this riveting story. At least now I know why you don't get it.

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

a fulfillment that is not dependent on anything external

Indeed. I have some interesting conversations with myself, but I doubt they lead to fulfillment. I have never till this day had a conversation with God. That is yet to come

The fulfillment I'm talking about is not having conversations with yourself though. That's just the mind entertaining itself. When the thoughts subside and the light beneath them gains strength, that's where the fulfillment comes from. That's the "conversation" to look out for and it's beyond words and thoughts. 

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I get the eggs and bread, but what is the stuff looks like mince, and the round brown things ( perhaps sliced sausage )?

What? You never had Moo Gratá when in Thailand? 

25 minutes ago, fusion58 said:

 

He didn’t explain anything.

 

In fact, he denied right from the outset that the burden to prove the existence of a god or a supernatural realm was his - even though he was the one making the claim.

 

You should be asking yourself why you’re casting your lot with such an intellectually dishonest person.

 

 

Clearly it all went over your head. 

20 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

how many god threads will it take?

(n+1)²

@Tippaporn
Whatchadoin here? Breakfast is waiting in the other thread...

Come on @Tippaporn Don't waste your precious time on the other thread. Come here, have a nice Thai breakfast and get your fingers dancing.

5 hours ago, fusion58 said:

LOL.

 

What other kind of evidence (besides that which “exists in physical terms”) is there?

 

“Hey fellas: there’s a purple unicorn in the next room! BTW, I have no evidence that *exists in physical terms* so you’ll just have to take my word for it.”

 

Also “because my evidence *doesn’t exist in physical terms,* that means I have no burden of proof.”

 

It’s a bizarre alternate intellectual reality you inhabit.

He tried to explain it to you in 5 different ways and you still don't get it. Or don't want to get it. Or pretend not to get it. On the contrary, you like to parade this lack of understanding as if it were a matter of great pride. 😄

Hopefully you'll be blessed with more understanding in the next life. Good luck 😉

38 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Show me some proof you fantasy character exists now.

....or else! 

😅😂😂😂

2 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Wanting to know what? What responsibility? You can´t show me any proof. Just say like it is. I can show you proof of evolution through times.

What do you want me to do? Read a fiction story and believe it?

I honestly don't care one way or another. Do what makes you happy as long as it makes you happy. Fine by me. 

3 hours ago, Tippaporn said:

 

I've got faith in you. 

And cheers to Tippa, whose fingers must be burning hot from all the furious typing right now.

9 hours ago, VincentRJ said:

I don't see how that question debunks the theory of evolution in any way.

 

'Consciousness' is a very broad term. The simplest definition is 'awareness', that is, 'the state of being aware of and responsive to one's surroundings'. According to this definition, it seems reasonable to assume that all forms of life, including plants, must be conscious to some degree and in some way.

 

However, because there are numerous types, levels and degrees of consciousness, one has to clearly define what type and level of consciousness one is referring to when examining consciousness from a scientific perspective.
A unique quality of human consciousness is our higher capacity for abstract thought, which allows us to develop complex languages and make distinctions between numerous 'forms', and label them, using language.

 

Form is created by 'human consciousness', because 'form' is a word created by humans. Every idea, concept, thought, word, scientific theory, non-scientific theory such as a creator God and all the other Gods throughout human history, are creations from human consciousness.

 

However, the issue that's most relevant to any life-form, including microbes and bacteria, is the accuracy of its 'conscious creations' and its ability to adapt to a changing environment, and avoid accidents and mistakes, for the purpose of survival and reproduction.

 

All life is in a constant competition for survival and reproduction. There are no exceptions that I'm aware of. If you know of any, please enlighten me.

 

A Buddhist monk might be stting peacefully in a temple or cave, pleased that he avoids all activities that can kill life, such as digging the soil whicn can kill worms and insects.
Yet he is probably not aware that within his own body there's a constant battle between competing microbes and bacteria and the human immune system.

 

The number of 'killings' each day within just one human body is astronomical; far too numerous to count.

I second Tippa. You're one of my favourite fellow posters. Cheers

On 1/25/2024 at 10:12 AM, Tippaporn said:

Another major contradiction between Vedanta and Seth's material is one which I heard in another of the Swami's videos.  He used the same whiteboard with the greater self, or the One, on the left side with a line drawn separating all else.  He then claimed that everything existing on the right side of the line was not real and not eternal.  Thet's 180 degrees from what Seth is saying.

 

Here I let my friend Bard answer for me. It's a clear and concise answer to how Advaita Vedanta sees reality.

The question of whether anything other than Brahman is real in Advaita Vedanta is a subtle one, and the answer depends on perspective and level of understanding. Here are some key points to consider:

Brahman as the Only Reality: At the ultimate level of reality, Advaita Vedanta asserts that only Brahman exists. Brahman is pure consciousness, infinite, unborn, and unchanging. It represents the absolute state of oneness, devoid of duality or separation. ("ALLTHEREIS" ... -sunmaster)

Maya and the Illusory World: The apparent world of diversity and change, including individual beings and objects, is understood as "maya," an illusion or superimposition on Brahman. Maya itself is not real in the same way Brahman is, but it has a relative reality, meaning it appears real on its own level within the context of the illusion. (underlining, -sun)

Levels of Reality: Advaita Vedanta often uses the concept of "levels of reality" to explain the relationship between Brahman and maya. Brahman is the absolute reality, while maya is the empirical or relative reality. Both levels exist, but Brahman is primary and unchanging, while maya is secondary and impermanent. (what I said about physical and mental fulfillment, -sun)

The Analogy of a Dream: Think of an ordinary dream. While you're dreaming, the dream world seems real, with objects, people, and experiences. However, upon waking, you know the dream was an illusion. Similarly, Advaita Vedanta compares the empirical world to a dream, with Brahman being the waking state.

Realness in Appearance: While Advaita Vedanta argues that the world is ultimately unreal, it doesn't deny its apparent reality for everyday life. (-sun) We interact with the world, experience emotions, and form relationships. These experiences have practical validity and significance within the context of maya.

Self-Realization as the Key: The goal of Advaita Vedanta is to achieve self-realization, a state of awareness where one transcends the illusion of maya and realizes their true identity as Brahman. This isn't about negating the world, but seeing it within the context of a higher reality. (What I said about enjoying physical and mental fulfillment, -sun)

Interpretation and Debate: Within Advaita Vedanta itself, there are different interpretations of how to understand the relative reality of maya. Some schools emphasize its unreality, while others acknowledge its practical significance.

In conclusion, the statement that "anything other than Brahman is not real" in Advaita Vedanta is true at the absolute level of reality. However, the world has a relative reality within the context of maya, and the two levels coexist while being ultimately different. Understanding this concept requires a shift in perspective and can be challenging at first.

On 1/25/2024 at 10:12 AM, Tippaporn said:

That's what puzzles me.  There are huge contradiction which I see.  How is it that you don't see them?  Seth's material on the ego is one such contradiction.  Yes, there are similarities.  But nowhere does Seth ever denigrate the ego.  And why relegate the ego to a lesser portion of the self?  Some parts of your greater identity are better than others?  Some, such as the ego, being kicked to the curb?  A useful tool, when it works?  Else it's only a hindrance?  That's a huge contradiction between what Seth claims and what Vedanta seems to claim.  Total opposite view points in major respects

Seth too says the ego is a tool, at least I remember reading so. What is the ego if not the tip of an iceberg? The ego focuses the attention on the outer world. In order to do that, the attention on the inner world has to be lessened. In that sense it becomes a hindrance if you want to direct your full focus on the inner world. It's like driving your car forward. You can't expect to go backwards at the same time. One direction excludes the other. You can't have both.

If you choose to go forward and refine the ego to be an efficient and beneficial tool, you can start using all 4 gears and go very fast. That's great. If you choose to go in reverse however, you need to stop first. Even the most efficient ego has to stop to allow you to go in reverse. Or else say goodbye to your gearbox. 😁

On 1/25/2024 at 10:12 AM, Tippaporn said:

All else emerges . . . for what reason, though?  For what purpose?  I've asked you before, why is Sunmaster in this world?  For what?  Where does Vedanta talk about creativity?  What of reincarnational selves?  If one reincarnational self attains connection with the One then what of those living the other reincarnational existences?  Given that time is simultaneous and all exists at once then how does that work?  Are the rest of the reincarnational selves liberated as well by default?  What of probable selves?  Trace selves?  Counterpart selves?  Now creativity would explain that.

I honestly don't know what would happen to other reincarnational selves, probable selves, counterpart selves, imaginary selves, transcendental selves and whatnot. Does knowing this bring me one inch closer to knowing who I am? Sure, it's interesting, but does it make me meditate deeper? I doubt it. 

Maybe that's why you can't find that information in Vedanta. Vedanta is the most practical philosophy or spiritual teaching I ever came across. It cuts through all that intellectual self-pleasuring to ask a simple question over and over again. Who am I?

On 1/25/2024 at 10:12 AM, Tippaporn said:

Lasting peace, happiness, security implies a final destination.  There is no final destination to anything.  That statement also implies an end to growth.  Beyond which lies eternal repetition and true death.  That is antithetical to All That Is and Seth explains how that works and why in granular detail in "Unknown Reality Vol. 1."

I think you misunderstand the meaning of those concepts. Who grows? You the body-mind called Tippa. If Tippa were to merge with AllThereIs, becoming one with it, who is there to grow? If there were anything left to grow, it would mean that AllThereIs isn't in fact AllThereIs. 

Seth talks about individuals, entities and Oversoul. What is there beyond the Oversoul? AllThereIs, right? What is there beyond AllThereIs? Nothing. Where is the growth then? Buried in its final destination?

On 1/25/2024 at 10:12 AM, Tippaporn said:

There needs to be a blending of science (intellect) and spirituality (intuition and emotions).  Since I see science as arising as a counter to religion (not in total, of course) then for science to incorporate spirituality would be seen as a return to religious precepts.  It ain't gonna happen anytime soon.  This thread is evidence of that in spades.

 

Yes. This is a typical pre-trans fallacy. In Spiral Dynamics religion (Blue) predates science, while spirituality (Yellow and beyond) transcends (and includes) science. From one at Orange (science), the 2 are indistinguishable. It will happen sooner or later, of that I'm certain.

On 1/25/2024 at 10:12 AM, Tippaporn said:

Nowhere that I've seen yet is there any discussion of how specific experience is created.  I do not see any talk of ideas or beliefs; what they are, what their function is, and certainly not what their effects are.  Who is creating personal suffering?  Who creates personal fulfillment, or lack of fulfillment?  Is fulfillment in physical life something which is not attainable?  Or only in the spiritual world once we become one with the One?  Are we not spirits now, in this life, merely clothed in flesh, blood and bones?

What kind of fulfillment are you looking for? Physical fulfillment? Sex, food, alcohol....? How long does that fulfillment last? There's the expectation of fulfillment and then there is the experience of getting what you crave. Then the pleasure vanishes and the  search starts anew.

Are you looking for intellectual fulfillment? How do you get that? From reading books, having deep conversations with a friend? How long is that going to last? As long as you have a book and a friend. What if you don't have them? No fulfillment. 

Are you looking for a fulfillment that is not dependent on anything external? Well then, there is only one source that will never let you down. It's always there, at any time, wherever you are, it's there.

If you (I mean in general) are content with the first 2 options, well, go for it...until you'll get tired of being a slave to those needs.

Once you realise that the only lasting fulfillment comes from within, you are no longer chained to other needs. You can still make awesome love, eat a delicious steak, drink a great wine, have an awesome conversations. But the pleasure you get from all of those pales compared to the deep fulfillment of knowing who you are.

10 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

 

I've got faith in you. 

Faith is for losers. Hard evidence is what is needed!

12 minutes ago, Tippaporn said:

@Sunmaster

 

What, no reply?  I know you have thoughts about what I wrote. 

 

 

Some good stuff in there but also a lot of distortions. It's going to take a while to pick through all that. 😁

On 1/23/2024 at 5:21 AM, save the frogs said:

And you know what?

Not one of you tossers has mentioned The Flying Spaghetti Monster and Pastafarianism yet, 700 pages into this.

Shame on you.

 

A lot of tossers have mentioned this several times. We didn't mention it because 1) we aren't tossers and 2) because it's a childish argument that appeals to childish minds.

6 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

And that was the proof? 

Not my job to provide you with any proof of anything. You are a conscious being (I think), so you have all the tools to find truth all on your own. 

Either do that or take responsibility for not wanting to know. As simple as that.

30 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

That´s what a person says when he/she can´t find any facts to contest a statement. Just like suspected, and as the majority of religious people, you simply avoided everything by pointing on ignorance. What ignorance? Why would I be and ignorant person just because I do not believe in ghost, fairytales and made up characters? Proof my man. Proof? Where is it?

What's with all those questions? I thought you prefer not knowing, because that's what ignorance is.

On 1/22/2024 at 9:54 AM, Gottfrid said:

Maybe the subject better suited for the other thread, as it has to do with God. As this is not a forum that focus on religious matters, then my opinion is that we only need one fictional thread. But, on the other hand, if you can show me supported evidence of the existence of God, that erases 100 of millions years of documented nature and human development..........Because right now, the numbers just don´t add up.

You seem quite content in your ignorance, so who am I to change that. Enjoy, coz if ignorance is bliss, you must be the living  Buddha. 😄

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

The military had ( ? have ) a policy of banning any discussion of politics and religion when I joined up. IMO it's a good rule when talking to friends as well, as both are liable to make enemies of friends.

That's reasonable, but I wasn't talking about either subject. I was talking about science and consciousness. 

3 hours ago, Chris Daley said:

Genesis 19:30-38 (NIV):

"30 Lot and his two daughters left Zoar and settled in the mountains, for he was afraid to stay in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. 31 One day the older daughter said to the younger, 'Our father is old, and there is no man around here to give us children—as is the custom all over the earth. 32 Let’s get our father to drink wine and then sleep with him and preserve our family line through our father.'

33 That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter went in and slept with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.

34 The next day the older daughter said to the younger, 'Last night I slept with my father. Let’s get him to drink wine again tonight, and you go in and sleep with him so we can preserve our family line through our father.' 35 So they got their father to drink wine that night also, and the younger daughter went in and slept with him. Again he was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got up.

36 So both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their father. 37 The older daughter had a son, and she named him Moab; he is the father of the Moabites of today. 38 The younger daughter also had a son, and she named him Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the Ammonites of today."

 

One of my favorite parts of the bible.  That and killing innocent kittens in the global flood.  A great read.

So you like incest. Not something I would advertise on an open forum (or anywhere elsewhere for that matter) , but OK...

39 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I assume you meant Sugar has not killed me yet. It may not kill you. I hasn't killed me despite keeping the sugar industry in profit most of my life, but it lost my mother's leg and eventually killed her, it makes billions diabetic and fat and gives them bad teeth and heart defects.

 

While I love sugar in all it's myriad forms, we'd all be healthier if it didn't exist.

I love sweets...now I live in a bakery. 😍

A couple of amazing cake creations, and the 2 little ones I made at a workshop here.