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A few thoughts from a former atheist

TheGunShoj

Active Member
Continuing the theme ...

I love the Ten Indian Commandments - or should I say Native American instead?

Especially the advice 2 give assistance and kindness wherever needed.

Simply search for:

Golden age of gaia ten commandments native american indian

Have a good one!

1. Treat the Earth and all the dwells therein with respect.
2. Remain close to the Great Spirit.
3. Show great respect to your fellow beings.
4. Work together for the benefit of all mankind.
5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.
6. Do what you know to be right.
7. Look after the well-being of mind and body.
8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.
9. Be truthful and honest at all times.
10. Take full responsibility for your actions.

I think I can get behind most of these.
 

Gjallarhorn

N'yog-Sothep
1. Treat the Earth and all the dwells therein with respect.
2. Remain close to the Great Spirit.
3. Show great respect to your fellow beings.
4. Work together for the benefit of all mankind.
5. Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.
6. Do what you know to be right.
7. Look after the well-being of mind and body.
8. Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.
9. Be truthful and honest at all times.
10. Take full responsibility for your actions.

I think I can get behind most of these.

2, 4, 6, and 8 are vague. 2 is also biased. 3 is redundant.

Sorry. Way too New Agey. Factor in that Native Americans were and are as diverse as Europeans and Africans and it's tripe.
 

Geoff-Allen

Resident megalomaniac
Thanks for the feedback!

Continuing our recent theme of wisdom from native people. I almost forgot about a great, little book called "Native Wisdom for White Minds" by Anne Wilson Schaef.

The author spoke to native elders from all around the world. She was told "Our legends tell us that a time will come when our wisdom and way of living will be necessary to save the planet, and that time is now."

Each page is a single theme - so it is an easy read. Some themes include child rearing, welcoming strangers, thinking, contentment and happiness.

You could Google the book - as always, Amazon has quite a few reviews.

I highly recommend it.
 

Alceste

Vagabond
Thanks for the feedback!

Continuing our recent theme of wisdom from native people. I almost forgot about a great, little book called "Native Wisdom for White Minds" by Anne Wilson Schaef.

The author spoke to native elders from all around the world. She was told "Our legends tell us that a time will come when our wisdom and way of living will be necessary to save the planet, and that time is now."

Each page is a single theme - so it is an easy read. Some themes include child rearing, welcoming strangers, thinking, contentment and happiness.

You could Google the book - as always, Amazon has quite a few reviews.

I highly recommend it.
For you, I recommend this one:

The Imaginary Indian | Daniel Francis
 

Geoff-Allen

Resident megalomaniac
Some handy mantras:
>
"God loves each of us completely & unconditionally & since I am made in the image & likeness of God I can do the same!"
>
"Sometimes men & women & children & families & doctors love 2 believe that there has been no stretching of the types. No stretching of the types!? That's beautiful, man!"
>
"Love one another & you will be happy. It's as simple and difficult as that."
>
~ Michael Leunig
>
Leunig is our local cartoonist/philosopher. Try searching Google for Leunig cartoons - well worth the effort!
>
Have a good one!
 

Geoff-Allen

Resident megalomaniac
Pray that you may become a kinder & more compassionate human being.
>
I believe in Heaven & Hell. If you walk around filled with positive emotion, that is Heaven. If you fill yourself with negativity, then your experience will be Hell.
>
Cheers!
 

paarsurrey

Veteran Member
Pray that you may become a kinder & more compassionate human being.
>
I believe in Heaven & Hell. If you walk around filled with positive emotion, that is Heaven. If you fill yourself with negativity, then your experience will be Hell.
>
Cheers!

I agree with you.

Regards
 

Geoff-Allen

Resident megalomaniac
No doubt some atheists may think that I am not "well-read" and that I am "soft in the head" for believing what I believe. That's okay. You can't offend me. I would have said the same things or MUCH worse once-upon-a-time! I used 2 take a special delight in ridiculing religious people.
>
Anyways, back 2 the subject of books. I absolutely love reading. Since I have schizophrenia and very limited income, I have 2 find cheap ways to occupy my time & amuse myself. So I read or meditate MOST of the day and I am rarely if ever bored!
>
Back in my atheist days, I read a lot of books. I read Nietzsche, Jung, Freud, Einstein, Leunig, Szasz, James Joyce, "The Troubled Mind", "The politics of experience", "The Three Christs of Ypsilanti", "1984", "The Once & Future king", "Monty Python & the Holy Grail", "Peanuts" to name a few off the top of my head. I used 2 read books about science & scifi & sport - especially cricket & humour - especially Spike Milligan. I had ZERO interest in reading spiritual books!
>
I am simply "drawn" 2 a different kind of book these days. Nowadays, I tend 2 judge books by how well they nourish my soul and improve the quality of my experience. I nominated "The mastery of love" 4 that very reason. The true test of a book is how many times you can read it and still enjoy it. I have read some books upwards of half a dozen times.
>
The vast majority of books are either junk food 4 the mind or they are written by very unenlightened souls. This reflects the state of mankind - technologically advanced but emotionally & spiritualy still very primitive. That is a potentially lethal combinatioon!
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Well, those are my thoughts. Feel free 2 disagree with them if you must.
>
Have a good one!
 

Geoff-Allen

Resident megalomaniac
If you saw a two year-old child hopping on the spot and singing to their heart's content, you would think nothing of it.
>
In fact, you would probably consider their joyful demeanor cute and perfectly natural.
>
If it was a 40 year-old man, on the other hand, you would likely cross the street and proclaim him nuts!
>
Makes me think of "The Logical Song".
>
Cheers!
>
Comes from this wonderful site! -
>
Happy For No Reason ... Finding True Happiness Through Finding Yourself
 
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