As a matter of fact, some respected Buddhist teachers say that this is the very trap that many deities fall prey to: they are much too fond of their confort and therefore don't manage to overcome their conditioning as easily.
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eternal reincarnation?
- Thread starter horntooth
- Start date
As a matter of fact, some respected Buddhist teachers say that this is the very trap that many deities fall prey to: they are much too fond of their confort and therefore don't manage to overcome their conditioning as easily.
All time exists simultaneously in an "spacious present" or "now". In that sense, there is no past or future. There is only now. In that sense, incarnations DO go on "forever" in an infinite loop of sorts. The link or connection for each aspect exists in its own perception of the "present moment" of their experience. Now, in that respect, serves as a doorway between aspects, as it is one thing they all have in common in their perspective. I would go as far as saying that in order to "touch" other aspects in their "now", that aspect would also need to be stretching its wings, as it were and seeking out other aspects. You will, for example, never be able to contact or "touch" aspects that are totally focused in their reality, as they will blithely regard your intrusions as that of a phantasm or ghost... In effect, you will not be deemed "real" to them. Such is not the case to those aspects of your identity that have begun to see more of their overall identity and realize there is a bit more to themselves than meets the I (eye).
So you say that the flow of time is basically an illusion that can be transcended?
I believe I know an author with somewhat similar views. Tell me if you are interested in knowing who that would be.
Maybe they don't want to? Perhaps they have come to a knowledge of what enlightenment is, and have decided that heaven is a better fit for them? Would it be fair to them to take away their place in heaven, and say, send them back down to earth when their 'karma eventually runs out'? According to some views on the matter, yeah, it probably would be in their best interest. But then, what is enlightenment like? Is there any going back once one is enlightened? Is it really preferable to heaven? Personally, I can see myself being quite satisfied living in heaven, as long as it is of the sort that I am thinking of. Why not spend eternity there? Whats so good about enlightenment? I often hear it being described in incredibly vague terms, which isn't really too useful. So, if we don't know, how can we say? Should we trust the gods? Do we even have a choice?
Well, you've got plenty to work with. I know I'm all over the place in this one. Im just writing as I think. But thats just tough!
Yep, that is basically it. Confort can be addictive.
Per doctrine, that is simply not possible. Or at the very least, it is not very admirable.
Supposedly yes, although I doubt they are meant to be taken that literally. It is not the best they could hope for, however.
Yes, unfortunately. It happens all the time for most of us.
By any honest criteria, it certainly is.
If you happen to have that choice, go for it, I guess. I'm not sure I see any sense in that question.
It dispells the shadows of ignorance and fear and empowers people with the capability to make a difference where it really matters.
Trust the gods? Probably, if you happen to believe and have a good working relationship with any. Rely on them? Not if we can help it, which we are supposed to.
You seem to have a very theistic mind. Maybe you would like to practice some Bhakti, if you haven't already.
Stupid RF. I accidently went back a couple of pages, and when I went forward all my responses were gone. I was 3/4 of my way through! Now I don't feel like responding anymore. I'm going to raise the issue with the RF leadership, or webmasters or whoever. I know on other sites, if you go back a page and then forward to the same one, your answers will still be there. Grumble, grumble.
I'll just answer this last one, I guess. I've done bhakti, but from a Christian perspective. It can be spiritually powerful. At this time that is not something I practice in any real way. At this point I view all beings more or less equally. So, even with the gods, the worship and devotion has been replaced by a kind of equality, friendship kind of perspective. How about yourself, have you checked off bhakti? If you have, what did you think?
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
Reincarnation would seem rather pointless, considering the fact that human beings keep making the same mistakes generation after generation after generation. If people were learning something over the course of many lifetimes, then people, in general, should have started susbstantially improving a long time ago.
Engyo
Prince of Dorkness!
But haven't we? We can rape and pillage and burn (and even get them in the right order!) in wholesale lots now! We now have the capacity to destroy our entire planet and make it completely uninhabitiable! That's a huge improvement over our remote ancestors who could only do this for a few acres and one tribe at a time.[/sarcasm]
I value true Bhakti a lot. I know for a fact that it works wonderfully for some people.
It is not my way, however.
Have you tried using Firefox? I have some unconfirmed evidence that it behaves a bit differently than other browsers in this regard and may provide the behavior that you want.
By Brazilian usual understanding, it is also rather meaningless. Kardecists have an habit of wondering and finding out who they "were" on "previous lives". One can't help but wonder what difference it makes. Even taking at face value the claims that I might have been some completely differente person back then (usually of a different nationality, background, personality, social standing, etc), what difference does it make?
Engyo
Prince of Dorkness!
I have always wondered why people never seem to remember previous lives as a slave, or a peasant working in the fields, or dying of the plague, or killed when barbarians sacked their town, or starving to death, or being killed by wild animals, or dying as an infant or child, and so on and so forth.
Statistically these kinds of lives had to be far more common than the more interesting, romantic and dramatic lives most folks who claim such memories seem to reference. Draw your own conclusions.
Statistically these kinds of lives had to be far more common than the more interesting, romantic and dramatic lives most folks who claim such memories seem to reference. Draw your own conclusions.
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YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
As a matter of fact, Engyo, that is largely the type of thing I get. No kings and queens, saints or demons... just common folks... working their way out of the box...
That reminds me of the time, years ago, when a fellow told me that his girlfriend and himself were kings and queens in Atlantas. Me? I just smiled and said, "Of course you were."
Actually, I once went through regression and DID picture myself in a previous life dying young of tuberculosys (sp?) or something similar.
Never thought of that as a true past life, however. It is simply a self-suggestion to express hidden feelings. Your point is well taken and says much about what brings people to seek past lifes.
doppelganger
Through the Looking Glass
Never underestimate the important of a good story. Most of us want to feel like we are part of a grand adventure, and if that adventure stretches beyond our own lifetime (both into the past and after we die) hey, all the better, right?
It eases the fear of death that comes with having an ego driven to build thought constructs in furtherance of it's own preservation. Illusions aren't illusions when they become beliefs.
In Falun Gong everyone tries to work hard on oneself to become enlightened with Right Fruit(Arhat level or above). That is the only way to become an immortal with boundless powers on the dimensions below. I guess most people would like to become an immortal God with such powers and escape the endless suffering down here.
Interesting. Arhat is a sanscrit word for a Buddhist concept that is known in the Pali Canon as Arahant (quite meaningful in Theravada School). Does Falun Gong have Buddhist influence?
Falun Gong cultivation belongs to the Buddha Fa(Buddha Law) school so it relates to Buddhism but has a different approach and it is Buddha Qi Gong and no religion. It means you live like everyday people and sever your attachments to desires and emotions while living in daily society. Sort of "everything allowed" as long as you do not care about it. It is ok to drive a Mercedes but you would not mind a Kia tomorrow if it needs to be. All that matters is that you are not attached to anything and in line with nature, then you can raise your level very fast. The exercises are also very important.
One major thing with Falun Gong is that is for free, no fees for anything and no membership.
PS: Read the book Zhuan Falun here: Download Falun Dafa Falun Gong books and articles: books
Cosmos-intérieur
Member
To say that the human being has not evolved is to ignore years of progress at all levels, social, ethical, scientific, philosophical and medical.
in other words, it is to be outside of reality.
yes for once it would seem that contrary to popular adage which equates pessimism with realism... reality proves the optimists right.
no offense
Cosmos-intérieur
Member
I have found few religions that believe in perpetual reincarnation there always seems to be an implicit or explicit idea of liberation.
having said that it seems that older religions give less importance to liberation and more to the quality of incarnation (and therefore incarnations in plurals)