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[I Am]

I'm not sure how to go about an introduction. In fact I'm not sure I even belong in this forum, seeing as I am not a religious individual.

I suppose I should start by saying that I am an 18 year old high school senior, living in Connecticut, in the United States. I have interests in experimental literature, art and music, along with the fine arts. I love philosophy, mysticism, esotericism and occult studies, as well as classic works of literature by Chaucer, Shakespeare, Goethe, ec. I also enjoy fictional works of existentialism such as by Beckett, Sartre, and Camus. My favorite philosopher is Peter Wessel Zapffe, and I adhere to Camus' absurdist philosophy whe pondering the question of the ultimate truth.

I don't have many friends or people whom i can relate to. I have one good friend, although no one really understands" me. I have never met a seeker of wisdm like myself. Most of the people in my school don't read or know about philosophy or art or poetry, etc. They mostly play Call of Duty, watch Jersey Shore and text on their cell-phones. I like to read philosophy and great works of literature. Currently reading Nietzsche's "Thus Spake Zarathustra".

I have interests in comparitive religion, mountaineering, book collecting, fine arts, the german language, music, and other things.

Nice to meet you all.
- Ryan.

 

[Guitar's Cry]

I'm also a fan of existential philosophy, and can definitely see how it relates to mysticism (Sarte's "gaps" certainly fit into mystic concepts of reality creation through definition).

Welcome, you should like it here!

 

[Valjean]

Namaste Ryan. Welcome.
We seem to share some interests. I'm a fan of absurdism myself, also like Dada, philosophy and classical literature.

 

[Buttercup]

Impressive intro....you'll fit in just fine.

Many of us are not religious but find religion fascinating nonetheless.

Have fun!

 

[Jayhawker Soule]

I have never met a seeker of wisdm like myself.

Wash your bowl ...

... and welcome.​

 

[zenzero]

Friend I am,

Welcome to RF!
Best Wishes.

Love & rgds

 

[Quagmire]

Hi Ryan, Welcome to RF.

I'm not sure how to go about an introduction. In fact I'm not sure I even belong in this forum, seeing as I am not a religious individual.

I'd say it's something like half and half here, but that's just a rough guess.

 

[.lava]

hi Ryan welcome

.

 

[enchanted_one1975]

Welcome to RF! Don't waste your time texting. Just get internet on your phone and use that time to play around here at RF.

 

[Caladan]

Welcome Ryan,

This is perhaps more of a Religious Education Forum than a 'religious forum'. you'll be able to find a niche and discuss philosophy, literature, and religion with atheists and people of various faiths. so in this regard we are lucky to have such a platform as no one is expected to hold certain ideals upon joining.

 

[joea]

Welcome brother....

 

[I Am]

Thankyou for all the wonderful responses.

 

[Mr Cheese]

welcome to RF

...........

The highest good is like water;
Water is good at benefiting the ten thousand things

and yet It does not

compete with them.

It dwells in places the masses of people detest,
Therefore it is close to the Way.

In dwelling, the good thing is the land;
In the mind, the good thing is depth;
In giving, the good thing is being like Heaven;
In speaking, the good thing is sincerity;

In governing, the good thing is order;

In affairs, the good thing is ability;

In activity, the good thing is timeliness.
It is only because it does not compete, that therefore it
is without fault.
–Tao Te Ching

 

[Wandered Off]

Welcome Ryan!

 

[I Am]

welcome to RF

...........

The highest good is like water;
Water is good at benefiting the ten thousand things

and yet It does not

compete with them.

It dwells in places the masses of people detest,
Therefore it is close to the Way.

In dwelling, the good thing is the land;
In the mind, the good thing is depth;
In giving, the good thing is being like Heaven;
In speaking, the good thing is sincerity;

In governing, the good thing is order;

In affairs, the good thing is ability;

In activity, the good thing is timeliness.
It is only because it does not compete, that therefore it
is without fault.
–Tao Te Ching

The way that can be spoken of
Is not the constant way;
The name that can be named
Is not the constant name.
The nameless was the beginning of heaven and earth;
The named was the mother of the myriad creatures.
Hence always rid yourself of desires in order to observe its secrets;
But always allow yourself to have desires in order to observe its manifestations.
These two are the same
But diverge in name as they issue forth.
Being the same they are called mysteries,
Mystery upon mystery -
The gateway of the manifold secrets.

... I have a copy of D.C. Lao's translation of the Tao Te Ching at home.

 

[dust1n]

I like you already.

The absurd is the first and the essential truth.

Welcome to the RF.