Christian philosophy and the Big Bang

Rocky said:
Ameriscot, I think what you're bringing up is, in truth, a matter of semantics.

P.S. I did write "more or less".
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Heaven:
a place regarded in various religions as the abode of God (or the gods) and the angels, and of the good after death, often traditionally depicted as being above the sky.
 

Although this is a bit off subject, but still in the same ballpark:

Watched on Netflix last night: Awake -- life story of Swami Yogananda (you might be familiar with his book Autobiography of a Yogi).


Samadhi is the state they were going for, like Nirvana, a state of consciousness aspired to by the practice of meditation.

I found the documentary interesting but pretty predictable, as by now we are very used to seeing these kinds of spiritual organizations and they all seem to function in the same way.

Also watched a documentary about a fake yogi/guru filmaker which is even more intersting, on how a film maker starts his own yoga cult, using the traditional methods used in India. Verry intersting.

 
Cookie, I believe these videos are about Hindus, not Buddhists. Not sure, but nirvana may have a different meaning as Hindus do believe in dieties.
 

Yet Buddhism is often referred to, by laymen and scholars alike, as one of the world's most popular religions.

But I've always taken that confusion into account because Taoism is the same way - it is both a religion and a philosophy and can be practiced either / both ways.

I suppose in one way it's the equivalent of saying "I believe in God but I'm not religious - just spiritual".
 
Buddhism is a philosophy people have come to give it the title religion there's no deity, no being of worship so to speak. But, over all Buddhism is about elevating ones mind, enlightenment. Those who show what some interpret as worship for Buddha, is really great respect and wanting to learn to find the similar enlightenment, and following the path set forth by these teachings hope to attain this through their own journey.

I in my late teens early 20's I was very much into Herman Hesse books, a fave was Siddhartha. That one was about a young man who gave up his rather materially comfortable life to set out on a journey to seek spiritual enlightenment. Reading Hesse books was a phase, but, a wonderful one, I do however, like and still have some reading materials around my place in line with some of the buddhist/taoist philosophies. Someday, I'll actually read more than a couple of chapters before forgetting it all again. :)
 
AprilT said:
Buddhism is a philosophy people have come to give it the title religion there's no deity, no being of worship so to speak. But, over all Buddhism is about elevating ones mind, enlightenment. Those who show what some interpret as worship for Buddha, is really great respect and wanting to learn to find the similar enlightenment, and following the path set forth by these teachings hope to attain this through their own journey.

I in my late teens early 20's I was very much into Herman Hesse books, a fave was Siddhartha. That one was about a young man who gave up his rather materially comfortable life to set out on a journey to seek spiritual enlightenment. Reading Hesse books was a phase, but, a wonderful one, I do however, like and still have some reading materials around my place in line with some of the buddhist/taoist philosophies. Someday, I'll actually read more than a couple of chapters before forgetting it all again. :)
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I've got quite a few Thich Nhat Hanh books, one of which is the story of the Buddha's life. http://www.parallax.org/old-path-white-clouds-walking-in-the-footsteps-of-the-buddha/
 
Yes, I agree, AS, Buddhism is different from Hinduism, and so is Christianity, which is what this thread was originally about.

Just talking about all of these different ideas of what they consider the highest states of consciousness --- different names and different philosophies, but all in all, in my mind, about a group gathering around a leader (Buddha, Christ, Krishna) or whatnot, and a small group of followers of a small cult, eventually expanding into a full blown religion. Then breaking off into sub-groups.

I'm not into this sort of thing now, but I have read quite a bit about how these things get started and it is very interesting. I belonged to an eastern spiritual group for many years then left, and I can now see how a lot of these groups have the same strategies for recruitment and religious idealism.

All respect and best to those who believe and practice, especially if it helps one attain peace and joy. Om and Amen to that.
 
Cookie said:
Yes, I agree, AS, Buddhism is different from Hinduism, and so is Christianity, which is what this thread was originally about.

Just talking about all of these different ideas of what they consider the highest states of consciousness --- different names and different philosophies, but all in all, in my mind, about a group gathering around a leader (Buddha, Christ, Krishna) or whatnot, and a small group of followers of a small cult, eventually expanding into a full blown religion. Then breaking off into sub-groups.

I'm not into this sort of thing now, but I have read quite a bit about how these things get started and it is very interesting. I belonged to an eastern spiritual group for many years then left, and I can now see how a lot of these groups have the same strategies for recruitment and religious idealism.

All respect and best to those who believe and practice, especially if it helps one attain peace and joy. Om and Amen to that.
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LOL! No real belief or practice here, just once in a while, need to breath so I don't smack the you know what out of someone.
 
Same here, April, I still do some meditation or some light yoga stretches, without getting following any dogma or belonging to an organization.
 
I still meditate twice a day. Have since I was twenty years old. Used to drive my doctor crazy playing around with my blood pressure and heart rate during check ups. Snicker. I don't subscribe to any particular group either. My mantra is in the end

only kindness matters. Works for me. Whatever happens after I am dead, so be it. For now, I have found a way to live with purpose, and sometimes joy. Most of the time that is enough.
 
Buddhists do not 'recruit' anyone. I am not a Buddhist and doubt I would ever feel I could call myself one. Unless you become a monk or nun there is no ceremony that makes you Buddhist. What I like about it is that you can just take what you need of their practices or beliefs. You don't have to be an atheist to practice Buddhism. The practice of mindfulness has been corrupted and twisted recently and companies are sending their employees to mindfulness training classes. They miss the whole point of it.
 
Ameriscot said:
Buddhists do not 'recruit' anyone. I am not a Buddhist and doubt I would ever feel I could call myself one. Unless you become a monk or nun there is no ceremony that makes you Buddhist. What I like about it is that you can just take what you need of their practices or beliefs. You don't have to be an atheist to practice Buddhism. The practice of mindfulness has been corrupted and twisted recently and companies are sending their employees to mindfulness training classes. They miss the whole point of it.
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I think this has happened to every religion, philosophy and belief system extant.

We - Westerners - have developed the habit of picking and choosing what we want from these full-blown systems, and it raises both good and bad points. Good in the sense that we divest ourselves of some of the more occult or folk-lorish beliefs and practices, but bad in the sense that in doing so we blindly discard some very important points.

A system - a religion or belief - really only works when it is a whole. At least in the beginning, you need to "buy-into" the entire package in order to gain the insights that the founders put into place. Without knowing them, you are only miming the movements and words.

I am guilty of this myself in my proclamation of being Taoist. First, I usually need to qualify that I am a philosophical Taoist, not a religious one. I received training in a Western Taoist institution / temple that qualifies me as a lay Taoist minister, able to perform religious functions such as weddings, funerals and holy day celebrations, but it's been many years since I've done so. Still, when I teach my students about Taoist philosophy I can at least give them an insight into how those philosophies came about, and let them decide whether they want to pursue the religious aspects or not.

Here in the West, as AS said, many of these essential points have been corrupted or, worse yet, entirely lost. It becomes a hollow pursuit wherein enlightenment, nirvana or whatever the goal is becomes unattainable.
 
SifuPhil said:
I think this has happened to every religion, philosophy and belief system extant.

We - Westerners - have developed the habit of picking and choosing what we want from these full-blown systems, and it raises both good and bad points. Good in the sense that we divest ourselves of some of the more occult or folk-lorish beliefs and practices, but bad in the sense that in doing so we blindly discard some very important points.

A system - a religion or belief - really only works when it is a whole. At least in the beginning, you need to "buy-into" the entire package in order to gain the insights that the founders put into place. Without knowing them, you are only miming the movements and words.

I am guilty of this myself in my proclamation of being Taoist. First, I usually need to qualify that I am a philosophical Taoist, not a religious one. I received training in a Western Taoist institution / temple that qualifies me as a lay Taoist minister, able to perform religious functions such as weddings, funerals and holy day celebrations, but it's been many years since I've done so. Still, when I teach my students about Taoist philosophy I can at least give them an insight into how those philosophies came about, and let them decide whether they want to pursue the religious aspects or not.

Here in the West, as AS said, many of these essential points have been corrupted or, worse yet, entirely lost. It becomes a hollow pursuit wherein enlightenment, nirvana or whatever the goal is becomes unattainable.
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I've read quite a lot about Buddhism, but will admit to not being able to practice a lot of it. I like Thich Nhat Hanh's Buddhism. http://plumvillage.org/

Thailand practices Theraveda Buddhism which is different. Monks are very highly respected there - I loved how on the trains in the city the preferred seats were labeled Elderly, Disabled, Monks. I would love to go to some of their talks, but all are in Thai and I've been unable to find any in English. Our rental house there is very near one of the temples and we walk through it often.
 
I have an online friend who lives in Thailand and has even tried to talk me into moving there. He's told me about the respect that the monks are held in and I think that's a great thing.

He also told me I could live like a king for $500/month, which TOTALLY blanked out any considerations of religion. :eek:
 
There are many expat communities all over the place. I know of one in particular in northern India where the group is part of an 'organization' that is listed with the Indian consultate (bribes) as being a spiritual educational institute. The American and Canadian expats get student visas for up to 5 years and live for cheap cheap cheap having servants and some even own their own houses there. One thing that bothers me about this is that they are collecting their Old Age Pensions and Canada Pension Plan benefits although they don't live in Canada. I hope the government cracks down on this practice, although it is not a gigantic amount of money, it still is unfair. Its hard to say if they are real students or just living there for almost nothing.
 
SifuPhil said:
I have an online friend who lives in Thailand and has even tried to talk me into moving there. He's told me about the respect that the monks are held in and I think that's a great thing.

He also told me I could live like a king for $500/month, which TOTALLY blanked out any considerations of religion. :eek:
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Thailand can be inexpensive, but you would not be able to live on $500 a month. Maybe in some rural areas, but not on an island. Food in Thai restaurants is very cheap and very good. But there are plenty of homes for sale that would easily cost you $300K or more.
 
Cookie said:
There are many expat communities all over the place. I know of one in particular in northern India where the group is part of an 'organization' that is listed with the Indian consultate (bribes) as being a spiritual educational institute. The American and Canadian expats get student visas for up to 5 years and live for cheap cheap cheap having servants and some even own their own houses there. One thing that bothers me about this is that they are collecting their Old Age Pensions and Canada Pension Plan benefits although they don't live in Canada. I hope the government cracks down on this practice, although it is not a gigantic amount of money, it still is unfair. Its hard to say if they are real students or just living there for almost nothing.
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I get my SS living abroad but I paid into that while working in the US. However, British who live abroad get their OAP pensions. I believe the government stopped giving them their COL raises.
 
Wow.

I think he lives on the outskirts of the major cities. Photos he's sent me look like he's in the middle of the jungle. His words to me were that I could rent a small 2-bedroom house, complete with maid, gardener and unlimited food, for around $500USD.

It's probably at least a 2-elephant ride to town, though. Looking at Craigslist I see you're right - apartments (the modern ones) in town are a small fortune.
 
SifuPhil said:
Wow.

I think he lives on the outskirts of the major cities. Photos he's sent me look like he's in the middle of the jungle. His words to me were that I could rent a small 2-bedroom house, complete with maid, gardener and unlimited food, for around $500USD.

It's probably at least a 2-elephant ride to town, though. Looking at Craigslist I see you're right - apartments (the modern ones) in town are a small fortune.
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I can believe that. I wouldn't fancy living in a jungle!

If we wanted to we could buy or rent a home on Koh Samui and easily get a retirement visa. But we don't want to live there all year. The healthcare is good.
 
Here Old Age Pension (usually get at 65) is something every Canadian Citizen gets, even if not paid into it and unemployed their whole lives, but there are stipulations about time spent not living in the country

Canada Pension Plan is paid into through salary deductions while employed and how much one receives monthly depends on how much and for how long one pays into it.
 
Ah, but think of how spiritual it would be living in that jungle - communing with nature every day, fighting off the crazy monkeys ...
 

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