Pan

[Straw Dog]

Greetings,

I figured a good topic to start with in this newly crescented directory is the common Greek root pan, which means "all". Pantheism means "all-is-god" and panentheism means "all-in-god". My personal understanding of the pan involves both the way things are reliably guided according to natural laws as well as the actual operation and historical course of the universe.

Is there a common understanding of what exactly the "all" means within the context of theology and divinity? Does it have any philosophical or practical implications for human living?

Thanks.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I also understand "pan" as the Way (that things go) and the physical/non-physical objects of the universe. Physical laws included.

 

[Straw Dog]

I also understand "pan" as the Way (that things go) and the physical/non-physical objects of the universe. Physical laws included.

I reckon it is similar in some meanings with the original Stoic logos as well before it got all Christianized, although they tended towards a form of classical pantheism. Perhaps the context of theology or divinity infuses the all with some extra special value meant to invoke awe and reverence. I find nature to be complete in-and-of itself, however.

 

[Ouroboros]

Is there a common understanding of what exactly the "all" means within the context of theology and divinity? Does it have any philosophical or practical implications for human living?

I'm not sure exactly what you're after, but from what I've seen the concept of "All" as a divine concept seems to exist in most (if not all) religions in one way or another.

If we consider the mystery of how a mind comes about, the forces of nature is a mystery overall, and that is very well suited as a base for spirituality.

 

[Straw Dog]

I'm not sure exactly what you're after,

Nothing in particular. I'll take whatever you got.

but from what I've seen the concept of "All" as a divine concept seems to exist in most (if not all) religions in one way or another.

If we consider the mystery of how a mind comes about, the forces of nature is a mystery overall, and that is very well suited as a base for spirituality.

You might be right about that. Maybe it has to do with appreciating the mystery of life.

 

[Ouroboros]

Nothing in particular. I'll take whatever you got.

Well, then. Later, when I have a little bit more time, I will try to list the different things I've seen in religious views/cults regarding "All".

You might be right about that. Maybe it has to do with appreciating the mystery of life.

Yes, I think it does.

If you pick up any science book that tries to explain what "mind" or "consciousness" is, you'll find that there's no straight or clear answer. No one really understands how it comes about yet, even though we have broken down particles to quarks and energies, even chipping off pieces of the Higgs field, but "mind" still eludes us.

I'll write more later. Have to cook a bit. Having friends over.

 

[Straw Dog]

If you pick up any science book that tries to explain what "mind" or "consciousness" is, you'll find that there's no straight or clear answer. No one really understands how it comes about yet, even though we have broken down particles to quarks and energies, even chipping off pieces of the Higgs field, but "mind" still eludes us.

Well, if consciousness even baffles the professionals studying it all the time for a living, then I have no chance of sorting it out.

 

[nash8]

I'll have to see if I can find the article again, but the gist of the article was that all religions started on the belief in a force that pervaded all things in the universe. It stated that polythiesm in ancient religions, evolved out of the particular description of different aspects of the "universal force".

It went on to say that those "in the know" so to speak never forgot this, but many of the common people went on to worship these individual aspects of the universal force seperately, and thus evolved into polythiesm.

The article focused mostly on ancient celtic religion, with a particular focus on pre-Christian druidic beliefs. I don't know how accurate it was because we have very little concrete knowledge on pre-christian celtic belief systems, especially of a druidic nature, but it was very interesting nonetheless.

 

[Straw Dog]

That article sounds neat. It would make sense.

Perhaps this universal force is the natural harmony between the fundamental forces and elements of our being.

 

[Pann]

I am Pan

 

[DreadFish]

Yeah, that article sounds pretty interesting; if you find it, please share.

It really makes sense to me. You take just about any religious story and make it symbolic in some way and it makes a hundred times more sense that a literal interpretation. I guess it would have just made sense in some way to personify certain abstract forces because a personality is something we as humans can relate to (not that I really care for personifying the abstract anymore)

 

[nash8]

I think I found it. It's long an arduous so beware lol.

The Veil of Isis or Mysteries of the Druids

 

[Luke Morningstar]

Is there a common understanding of what exactly the "all" means within the context of theology and divinity? Does it have any philosophical or practical implications for human living?

The first question is very subjective. I think there's a clear common understanding in theology and divinity of all-is-god, a oneness with everything, and embracing everything. But there are very popular religious groups who make money from teaching different interpretations.

I can speak from experience, it has definite practical applications. When we can connect to the all, and we've all had moments where we did, we gain clarity of purpose and vision. We're able to see people for who they are, and how they are connected, and also how much struggle for separation creates division. Every problem in society can be traced back to at least two people deciding they were too different to work together.