Posts Tagged ‘Life’

Has Eminem achieved more in 1 CD than Plato in his whole life?

Thursday, February 2nd, 2012

Question by john889743: Has Eminem achieved more in 1 CD than Plato in his whole life?
Some people say that Plato has invented philosophy. But actually, if Plato would have not exist, someone else would have done it, so its actual contribution to philosophy is quite miserable, beside being the first.

On the contrary, EMINEM is one of the greatest modern philosopher if not the greatest philosopher of all time. He is smarter and has more talent. He has learn how to use popular culture and is microphone and his quick flow to communicate his philosophy with the masses. Plato could have barely accomplish this if he was born in the year 2000.

Do you think that Eminem has achieved more in 1 CD than Plato in his whole life? Discuss!

Best answer:

Answer by naughtydogg70
Facepalm!

Give your answer to this question below!

The Metaphysical View of Death and Life After Death Part 4

Monday, October 24th, 2011

At times the soul undergoing transition is led across rivers with the aid of an escort. In Greek myths, Charon, the boatman, was assigned the task of guiding souls to the Otherside. Hermes, acting as psychopompos, led deserving souls to Olympus. The ushabtis, or statuettes buried with the dead among ancient Egyptians, could conceivably represent escorts or soul-bearers, aside from the usual interpretation of scholars of them being servants in the afterlife. In other religions, the escort of the soul is the Angel of Death, the grim reaper wielding a scythe as depicted in one of the cards of the Major Arcana of the Tarot–although the average Christian sees that being not as an escorter but as an avenger. Muslims call this Angel of Death, “Izrail.” There is a possibility that escorts of the soul do not always fetch departing souls from the Otherside. They may, in fact, also come from our physical dimension aiding souls in their transition. What we are intimating is that the mastery of astral projection or lucid dreaming actually gives the mystic or psychic the power to act as psychopompos, or guide of the soul. Our own personal experience may suggest this, as we will relate below, however, we are not implying here that we have personally mastered the art of occult mobilization, or attained a spirituality of a high degree:

We (I, me, myself) once had a dear friend who was a Theosophist. Although there were decades of physical years between us, we were rather close. One day, we received a call informing us of her demise. Her passing was sudden and unexpected. Wondering what her condition was like in the bardo, that night we decided to be by her side to offer assistance. And so with affirmations, intense mind-programming, and a strong desire, we spontaneously attained a projection without strenuously going through the usual steps as taught in occult books and schools. Moments later, we were by her side, leading her to a certain place, to a certain spiritual guide or master with whom in the astral state we were well acquainted with. When we reached our destination, we said to her: “from hereon you are on your own. We shall meet again.” After bidding her farewell, we were once again back in our physical body.

All along the projection, we were lucid and aware–aware that a part of us was asleep in bed; while another aspect, was active in another world. This is one of the signs indicating that the experience was not a dream. Soul-travel as we have mentioned before, is a mystery to the average religious devotee. Eventhough mystics, prophets and saints have alluded to this particular occult ability possessed by man, the average person still remains unconvinced and skeptical as to its reality; or from another perspective they fear it as a satanic gift. However, at least the Bahái’i faith firmly states the possibility for one to experience the afterlife while yet still alive and embodied on earth. Many modern saints such as Padre Pio were adepts of soul-travel.

Soul-travel, or astral travel is a natural mode of rest for the incarnating soul from the vicissitudes of everyday life. This usually occurs through sleep, but may be induced through various means. It is through this occult faculty that knowledge of the various dimensions may be gained. Ancient Greeks were familiar with the art of astral projection. In their myths there are many references to heroes visiting the underworld, such as Hercules, Aeneas, and Odysseus, or sorceresses such as Medea accompanying Jason, the captain of the Argonauts in his adventures–although she in her astral body. These myths probably refer to the astral aspects of the secret initiations of the ancient Mystery Schools.

The Occult Tradition

Before explaining the death process from the occult and metaphysical point of view, we ought to possess some knowledge of man’s occult anatomy, for man’s hidden structure and physiology play an important role in the release of the soul from its confinement to the form and the disintegration of the physical body and they are, therefore, a pertinent factor to our understanding of transition. It is also of some relevance to know the structure of the various planes or dimensions. We shall, therefore, consider these two essential topics briefly before discussing the process of transition from the occult perspective.

The Microcosm

Man, the microcosm, possesses several bodies, principles, or vehicles. According to Theosophy, these principles/bodies are seven in number: Monad, Atma, Buddhi, Higher Mental/Causal, Lower Mental, Astral Body, and Etheric/Physical. Christianity divides man’s components into body, soul and spirit. The concept of man possessing several bodies is also to be found in Hinduism, the Qaballah, and Islam; and is in fact based on the teachings of the Ageless Wisdom; it is to be found underlying all spiritual traditions in one form or another. The Initiates of ancient Egypt, for instance, had a clear understanding of man’s subtle anatomy as we can see from the following suggested correspondence with the Theosophical system:

Physical Body – Khat

Etheric Body – Khaibit (shadow)

Astral Body – Ka (double)

Lower Mental – Ba (heart-soul)

Causal Body – Sahu (spiritual body)

Higher Mental – Ren (name)

Buddhi – Khu/Ab (spiritual soul)

Atma – Sekhem (power)

Monad – Khabs

In average cases, the bodies directly involved in the death process and in the afterdeath state are of the first five-the physical body, etheric, astral, lower mental, and causal. In certain conditions it may involve the first two or three.

Each body or principle has energy-centers fully developed and functioning, or in the process of unfoldment. These energy-centers are called chakras in Hindu occultism and there are seven of major importance. In the physical body the endocrine glands and the plexi correspond to these chakras. The following are the Hindu terms for these chakras as well as their correspondence to the glands and their location:

Muladhara – gonads – base of spine

Svadishtana – spleen/pancreas – naval

Manipura – adrenals – solar plexus

Anahata – thymus – heart

Vishuddha – thyroid – throat

Ajna – pituitary – center of eyebrows

Sahasrara – pineal – crown

Every vehicle of consciousness possesses chakras, some of which are not functioning to its full potential or fully-developed as yet in the average human being. Chakras are channels and transformers of energy. They receive the influx of energies originating from higher spheres and distribute those energies to a lower principle. The frequencies or qualities of these chakras are associated with one’s evolutionary development; this account for the many colours attributed to them by various authorities who often seemingly contradict one another. These chakras vibrate at a rate determined by the quality of the indwelling soul. During transition the soul escapes through one of these portals. One’s evolutionary development determines where the soul would make its exit. According to occult teachings, it is favorable for the soul to be released through the crown chakra or other higher centers; escape through the lower centers results in a transition to one of the lower worlds. Generally speaking, the average person evacuates the body, in the process of transition, through the solar plexus chakra. This is because the manipura chakra is associated with the qualities of self-centeredness, and is the normal expression and polarization of the average person. Aspirants and servers of humanity often emerge out of the heart chakra, as this chakra is related to an expanding love for all sentient beings. Enlightened, spiritual souls pass out of the physical form through the crown chakra. This major center is associated with pure, lofty thoughts and feelings, with a sense of oneness and identification with all beings. It is this crown chakra that Hopi Indians believed to be the exit of the soul at death. Occultism declares that the point of exit indicates the realm that the indwelling soul would sojourn, whether it be in the lower regions of “hell,” or in the upper localities of “heaven.”

Connecting the various bodies together, like beads on a string, is the sutratma. This sutratma is sometimes referred to as the “silver cord.” This term comes from one of the books of the Old Testament.

“Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.” (Ecclesiastes 12:6)

While the indwelling soul is incarnated in the physical form, the sutratma remains intact, connecting the lower form to the higher principles. It functions primarily as a channel for divine life forces–the energies emanating from the Monad. In sleep and in the astral state, when the awareness-principle roams about in the higher dimensions, this cord serves as a connecting link between the material body and the astral form. So long as this cord exists intact, the soul is bound to the physical body. Once the cord is severed, as occurs in the death process, the soul loses its connection with the physical body. A person may be in a coma, or in a cataleptic state with a resemblance of death, but so long as the cord endures, it is always possible for life to return–it is possible to “raise the dead,” so to speak.

Another point to consider

The Metaphysical View of Death and Life After Death Part 10

Saturday, October 22nd, 2011

Astral projection is an occult art that was commonly practiced by ancient mystics. Apollonius of Tyana, Yeheshuah (Jesus Christ) and many other mystics often used the ability in their ministry and work. In centuries past and up to this very day, Wicca, or the tradition of witchcraft, teaches its adherents the secrets of astral projection. The superstition that witches rode on broomsticks to their covens actually stems upon the fact that witches were adepts in the art of astral projection and astral travelling. The art of astral projection was kept secret throughout the centuries until the inception and commencement of parapsychological research in the previous century by reputable and eminent scientists. What was once shrouded in mystery and transmitted secretly to initiates, are now being rediscovered or taught openly to the public through the mass media.

This occurred because early parapsychological findings paved a way for the revelation of such arcane knowledge. People were made ready for the knowledge and power that occultism had to confer. In contemporary times, Carl Jung, the great psychoanalyst, experienced many OBEs and commented on the “absolute objectivity” of his experiences. Other famous persons who had OBEs were among others, St. Augustine, Goethe, Plato, Aristotle, Wordsworth, Alfred Tennyson, and Ernest Hemingway.

Astral projection, like NDEs, is one of the ways that an individual may prove to him or herself of the truth of the survival of consciousness at the time of transition–that the self, the personal consciousness may function independently of the physical brain and organism. Death is no longer feared, and in a sense, may be said to be “eradicated” once a single astral projection is experienced and apprehended.

Hypnotic-Regression of the Soul

Hypnotism has come a long way since the days of Anton Mesmer and his concept of “animal magnetism.” It has passed through many changes of techniques and used for various purposes such as entertainment, self-improvement and healing. Certain principles or tools of psycho-transformation such as affirmation, or “subtle suggestion” are linked to the Mesmeric tradition. In recent years hypnotherapy, or hypnotism used as a therapeutical tool, commenced a new line of probing into the depths of the human psyche. This occurred when certain individuals had spontaneous recollection of their past-lives. If hypnotism could be used to stir and dig up the memory of the present life, could it not also be used to probe deeper into the memory of the psyche to acquire information of a life lived in a past identity or incarnation? This question asked by experts in hypnosis was based on the concept of reincarnation. The underlying premise was that if reincarnation were true, the results of deeper probings into the psyche would offer clues as to its reality. In this section we will not discuss the results of such findings, suffice to say that many case studies of soul-regression into past lives were found to be plausible and later discovered through research to actually be historically-based. What we will consider briefly here are the findings of soul-regression through hypnosis–in the theta-state-pertaining to soul-memory of the transition state and the life beyond the Great Change. This field of study and investigation is just another logical step from the previous probings into past life experiences.

Our main (and only) source of information concerning this subject is derived from Michael Newton. After investigating the matter for several years along the lines that we have delineated above, he published his findings in the Journey of Souls. One of his main discoveries is that not all souls are of the same spiritual age; that souls may be classified as to their soul-age or evolutionary status. This spiritual principle is actually the origin of the caste system formed in ancient India. Broadly speaking, souls of the same class or spiritual age usually conform to a certain set of experiences during transition and in their “placement” which souls of a higher class usually bypass or do not normally undergo. This corresponds to the general idea of Bardo experiences where one may liberate oneself at any stage, relinquishing the need to experience the following phases–and this usually conforms with soul age and experience. Newton discovered that there was a “homogeneity of experience” among his subjects in the transitional experience, especially when it progressed through further stages.

Subjects of soul-regression declare that after the initial surprise of being alive during and after transition with its concomitant deathbed visions, a certain white light emerges and attracts their attention. This stage is often accompanied by divine music. From the point of view of Tibetan metaphysics, this white light is none other than the Clear Light of the Void manifesting in the secondary stage of Chikai. Ignorant of what is to be accomplished at this stage, some of the subjects of Newton simply passed on to another stage of the bardo where the judgment or the “tunnel effect” was experienced. Some report of having hovered over the dead body for several days because of confusion, anger or bewilderment. This usually occurs to those who were killed or murdered unexpectedly. We may equate this experience with the latter part of the Chonyid or Sidpa bardo.

Almost all subjects of deathbed visions describe the “tunnel-effect” where one feels oneself travelling through a long dark tunnel to an uncertain destination represented by a point of light at the distance. This light gets closer and closer as one approaches its source. In occultism, this light is actually the light of the astral realms and should not be confused with the Clear White Light of the Bardo, which is essentially a state of illumination. The tunnel-effect is an experience of the crossing of the veil that separates the physical from the astral regions. It is a “movement” into a different dimension, a birthing into a higher world. After the tunnel effect, and while still being a little disoriented, subjects report on experiencing vibrations of love, comfort and companionship emanating from what they later discovered to be a reception committee comprising of close friends, relatives and their personal, spiritual guide. This “reception committee” Newton found, is always planned well in advance of the soul’s transition by the soul’s personal and spiritual guide to assist it in adjusting to new conditions. Advance souls; however, according to certain case studies, go through the white light experience and the tunnel-effect very quickly. Most of these souls often go straight to their destined realm without undergoing the preliminary stages of meeting with loved ones. Newton believes that these souls do not require the comfort and solace from other beings that young souls usually crave for. After adjusting to the vibratory condition of the astral realm, Newton’s subjects marvel at the remarkable sight awaiting them, and they are usually at a loss for words. Newton comments on this:

“I enjoy hearing from subjects about the first images of the spirit world. People may see fields of wildflowers, castle towers rising in the distance, or rainbows under an open sky . . .” (1995:24)

And he continues:

“Regardless of their state of mind right after death, my subjects are full of exclamations about discovering marvels of the spirit world. Usually, this feeling is combined with euphoria that all their worldly cares have been left behind, especially physical pain.” (1995:25)

After meeting beloved ones, most souls are brought to special places designed to heal past traumatic experiences. In these healing centers subjects describe themselves as being bathed in swirling light. Those who are seriously damaged in a psychological way, and who possess negative, or evil tendencies, are brought to rehabilitation centers by their guides and secluded for a period of time.

After the required healing, souls are sent to the realm corresponding to their spiritual attainment. This is described in the Journey of Souls as “placement.” Subjects describe riding on a beam of light, a current of energy, to their destination whether it be in the upper astral or the lower mental. In placements, souls are brought to their spiritual group comprising of individuals of a similar evolutionary status, and they normally do not wander form their group to join other associations. According to Newton’s subjects, in the subtle spheres, the age of the soul manifests in a certain colour or hue in their aura; these souls of a certain evolutionary status (colour) congregate together to form their spiritual group, which is presided or directed by a higher soul functioning as guide and teacher. In these groups discussions take place concerning experiences in the newly-terminated life. The discussions that take place are not unlike the group discussions that occur in a psychotherapeutical meeting where one’s attitudes, motives and feelings for a certain action are analyzed and where one’s behavioral pattern or habit is rationalized by the psychotherapist, or others within the group. The spirit world, as we can see from this, is a time for evaluation, assimilation, and analysis. According to subjects, some of the activities that souls engage in are research and study in libraries or spiritual work undertaken at the direction of their spiritual guides. Similar to the teachings of the Occult Tradition, the case studies of Newton indicates an active life in the higher planes where one may study the various fine arts and sciences or express one’s creativity

Define Religion, Philosophy and Spirituality and how do they play in one’s life?

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

Question by apsjn: Define Religion, Philosophy and Spirituality and how do they play in one’s life?
Subsequent to seeing a typical question like the above and the way it was answered and got selected by the questioner, I feel to give perfection and clarity to the above three limbs to make the readers understand. Each one of them is interconnected. Unless man follows all the three he cannot be called ‘Man of perfection’. I request the commentators not to give wage and abusive answers. My regards to you all.

Best answer:

Answer by The internet is serious business
Religion- A group of beliefs about the world, spirituality, morals, deities, etc. Usually cult-like

Philosophy- A way of thinking about things/curiosity

Spirituality- Beliefs about the soul, the paranormal, etc.

They come into play in people’s lives in different ways, depending on who they are. Personally, I am spiritual/philosophical but not religious.

What do you think? Answer below!

If my life-motivation is learning and its the only thing I really want to do in my life– what should I do?

Monday, September 26th, 2011

Question by ?: If my life-motivation is learning and its the only thing I really want to do in my life– what should I do?
I would love to stay in college indefinitely, taking every class that interests me. I’d love to devote months and years of my life to particular subjects, learning all I can about them. Perhaps sort-of a modern philosopher.

But I can not have a vocation such as thus.

What do I do?
I’ve considered teaching…but I would want to teach college-level, and that usually requires extensive experience in the field… and I’d hate to my devoted to one subject.

Best answer:

Answer by Cancer Man
Perhaps you could teach. You could stay in an academic environment as a college professor.

Edit: Well then, maybe you could teach philosophy, since you expressed an interest in that field. I expect that that would be interesting enough to keep you occupied.

Add your own answer in the comments!

I respond to Scientificdiscussion’s Ayn Rand is insignificant debate point. www.youtube.com I talk about why Ayn Rand is significant, how modern philosophers are not significant, and why I think Ayn Rand comes up in conversations. This also is a topic of credentials and why they seems so important but can mean so little…. which is a huge topic that I hope to discuss sometime in the future. But if YOU(people of the world) have any doubt…… Then this message goes out to you: YOUR ideas about life are worthless, YOU don’t have anything of value to say, and whatever YOU do say can be disregarded since YOU(all of you) are not referenced in my philosophy 101 book…. I looked in the index and none of you were there….. just so you know. ;)
Video Rating: 3 / 5

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what are the effects of the early philosopher,chemist,physicist,and inventors’ works to the modern life?

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

Question by mae :) : what are the effects of the early philosopher,chemist,physicist,and inventors’ works to the modern life?
i need to answer this for my assignment. i am really having a research about Robert Boyle and i need to know the effects of his works to the modern life. please help me!!!

Best answer:

Answer by Ingsoc Aaron
Robert Boyle is important in physics and chemistry.
And mainly he’s remembered for coming up with “Boyle’s Law”, which is simply that in a closed system the pressure and volume of a gas (at constant temperature) are inversely proportional to each other.

Now what this means is that if you have a can of gas, a closed system (no gas can escape from the can or get into it), then the pressure that the gas exerts on the inside walls of the can and the volume of the gas inside the can are inversely proportional. Only true at constant temperatures (that’s to say, the temperature of the gas can’t change).

Now what does inversely proportional mean?
Simply, if the volume of the can shrinks, and the can still has the same amount of gas (which it should because the can is a closed system and the gas can’t escape), then pressure inside the can from the gas goes up (the gas pushes harder on the walls). So remember, if Volume of gas goes down, the pressure goes up. That’s what inversely proportional means (one goes up, one goes down).

Same thing.
If can got bigger (volume increased), pressure inside the can would decrease (the gas molecules have more room to move around so they exert less pressure on the walls of the can).

So volume goes up, pressure goes down. (Inversely proportional).
Thiis is Boyle’s Law.

—–

Why is this important?
Because Boyle’s law contributes to the overall “Ideal Gas Law” which explains how all ideal gasses behave (an ideal gas is one that’s inert and doesn’t chemically react with other substances).

The Ideal Gas Law is a mathmatical equation and is as followed,
PV = nRT

Where P stands for pressure, V is volume, n is the amount of gas, R is the ideal gas constant (a number), and T is the temperature.

(Pressure)*(Volume) = (amount)*(Ideal Gas Constant)*(Temperature)

(Pressure) times (Volume) = (amount) times (Gas Constant) times (temperature).

—-

Now then the Ideal Gas Law is a combination of four gas laws.
1. Boyle’s Law (explained).
2. Charles’s Law- which states volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature. Simply, temperature of a gas goes up, the volume goes up as well. And, temperature of a gas goes down, the volume of gas goes down to. Balloon example: A balloon contains a fixed amount of gas because of this law if you heat the balloon it gets bigger! (The volume increase). And if you freeze the balloon the gas gets cold and it shrinks (volume decreases).

3. Gay-Lussac’s Law- The temperature and pressure of gas are directly proportional. If temperature of gas goes up (gas gets hotter), then the pressure goes up. If the gas gets cold, pressure goes down.

4. And Avogadro’s Law- which isn’t as easy to explain or understand, but simply, all ideal gasses act the same regardless of the size of the molecules in the gas. Example: Carbon Dioxide (a gas) is composed of one Carbon atom and two oxygen atoms however it behaves the same as Helium (another gas) that’s only composed of Helium atoms alone. However on a molecular level Carbon Dioxide is larger than Helium (it has more atoms), nonetheless both gasses act the same and follow the Ideal Gas Law. In fact all ideal gasses, regardless of their size, act the same.

—-

These four laws make the Ideal Gas Law.
PV = nRT.

That’s what’s important.
Because it completely explains how all gas (well ideal ones, which is basically all) behave, and will behave, under given circumstances. And Boyle helped.

The Ideal Gas Law was first written out by Emile Clapeyron when he combined all the Laws together.

Applications!
So what can you do with this?
Well there’s a lot of stuff, which I don’t want to go through all of it…

But Absolute Zero is a good result of the Ideal Gas Law.
Lord Kelvin figured this out by looking at the Ideal Gas Law. But if you plot a Temperature vesus Volume graph and recall that Temp is proportional to Volume you get a straight line. That’s to say there’s a specific volume for every temperature of a certain amount of gas.

So let’s say (this is an example and not real numbers) at 80 degrees you have a volume of 40 ml of gas, at 35 degrees you have 30 ml of gas, at 10 degrees you have 20 ml of gas (the volume goes down as the gas gets colder, charles law). Now it’s important to understand the gas isn’t going away, it’s volume is just getting smaller (which is predicted by the Ideal Gas Law).

Okay so Kelvin thought to himself.
What’s the temperature when the volume of the gas goes to zero? He found this by mathmatically following the graph he made (the line) to where this would be true (because you can’t measure it physically).

And he found that theoretically at -273 degrees Celsius the volume of gas is zero.
This is Absolute Zero.
You can never get colder then this because the volume of a gas can never go below zero (that’s impossible).

Kelvin finding this temperature is a good result of the Ideal Gas Law.

What do you think? Answer below!

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The Metaphysical View of Death and Life After Death Part 11

Thursday, September 15th, 2011

To conclude this section may we just add that Newton’s subjects emphasize strongly that God is never once seen in the higher realms, although a strong feeling of a Supreme Power is felt ruling the ongoings of devachan, or “heaven,” and the kinetic motion of magnetic streams of energy flowing in the atmosphere and environment. This truth denounces certain religious beliefs that in heaven one would finally see God face to face–for while on earth one may not see God’s face and live, one would surely behold God’s countenance in heaven. This principle has been vmisunderstood and misinterpreted for the past two thousand years; it should actually be understood in a mystical rather than in a literal manner. It reminds us of Gautama Buddha’s silence when questioned about God–the implication of his subtle answer revealing a profound truth to the initiated.

Summarizing the scientific viewpoint on death and the afterlife–based on years of careful psychical, parapsychological research–the following conclusions have been reached:

1) That humans are essentially immaterial in nature and that the human essence, or self-awareness, survives physical death.

2) That human soul-units exist at differentiated levels of awareness in dimensions beyond the physical light-spectrum, beyond the reach of physical sensory perception.

3) That contact with departed souls is a possible feat under certain conditions and circumstances.

4) That all human soul-units periodically re-embody or reincarnate to continue their evolution.

5) That all re-embody according to the law of causation, or karma; or soul desire.

DISCUSSIONS

As we have seen in the previous chapter, death according to the various traditions, metaphysical experiences and modern scientific discoveries, does not annihilate the human soul; and relationships formed on the physical plane do not cease at the termination of one’s incarnation, as is normally believed; also, one’s aspirations, goals and ambitions, though simply and seemingly cut-short prematurely at a stroke of the scythe by the grim reaper called death, is actually brought over to the Otherside for a further strategic development that would bloom in a later incarnation. We have also seen that the nature of death and the afterlife can be known to those who are willing to develop the necessary sensory faculties of the astral form and its ability of soul-flight. Additionally, we have dealt somewhat of the nature of heaven and hell, including the Judgment, from the various metaphysical, religious and scientific perspectives. We have described and hinted of some of the ways and means of avoiding those undesired experiences, states and conditions to be found in the bardo, and even in the lower astral. Non-attachment to the physical form and earthly life is helpful in the process of a peaceful and easy transition, and in a smooth journey through the bardo–this ought to be kept in mind. And lastly, with the descriptions by subjects of NDEs and communications from the beyond concerning the death process, we can be assured that dying does not have to entail any mental, emotional or physical agony; on the contrary, it may result in one of the most joyful states that average souls may experience at its present evolutionary level. It provides a certain pre-taste of what the nirvanic state is like when once the soul is liberated and fully aware of its divine unity with All That Is.

Humans may fear death, but “being dead” is actually the present state of awareness of most people. To be unaware of one’s higher microcosmic principles is simply a consciousness of death. What separates the seen from the unseen is the level of one’s waking consciousness, and the psychological impurities within one’s subconscious mind. There are several components in the microcosm making up what we call the divine, human being. The more components we are aware and conscious of, the more alive we become in the spiritual sense. Non-experience of the higher principles and realities do not mean that they do not exist, it is just that the faculty for higher perception has not yet been developed. Fear is what closes the veil to spiritual knowing. When we fear, we circumscribe our consciousness. Fear of the unknown, is the ignorance of the source of our fear. Identification with mortal principles simply perpetuates (or perpetrates?) one’s mortal existence as a normal human being–and it also maintains one’s fears. We are meant to be perfect–as advised by the Piscean Master–perfect in consciousness, in knowledge, and in awareness. Attaining immortality, or awareness of such, requires the shedding of mortal concepts, beliefs, attitudes and feelings. With such spiritual labour we gradually build the link between the lower and higher principles and ensure the continuity of consciousness, and the awareness of the illusory nature of death. With each extermination of a false concept we become more alive in a spiritual sense. Death, “the last enemy,” as declared in scriptures, though inevitable, will be swallowed up in victory when once its maya-nature is understood and the continuity of consciousness acquired. Death will then lose its sting. Death ends when once the multidimensionality of one’s being is realized, and when once one’s liberation from the wheel of reincarnation is attained. What we call death is an illusion. This is echoed in the words of the Taoist poet, Chuang Tzu:

“Birth is not a beginning, death is not an end.”

Fear simply robs individuals of their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual energies–energies which could be used for more constructive and creative purposes. When enlightened of the nature of death, like Socrates, we will not fear it; and this knowledge, understanding, and enlightenment would greatly help humanity to live an abundant life, as promised by Master Jesus. Like a chain effect, the awareness of the non-existence of death and the truth of man’s purpose for being would improve the quality, nature, and service of every governmental department and institution, affecting society’s consciousness, development and welfare. But to return to the emotion of fear ingrained in Man, there are several principles that assist one to “die” without fear:

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1) Non-attachment to physical form, earthly possessions, and relationships.

2) Understanding that death is natural and that it does not end one’s aspirations.

3) Understanding and being aware of one’s true nature as divine and immortal.

3) Preparation through spiritual practices such as meditation, purification, and the acquisition of merit through service.

4) The unfoldment of love and compassion.

From a higher perspective, death is no enemy. It is a merciful friend that grants us rest at a time when we need it. It provides a moment’s respite until we re-engage ourselves in the battle of life through another incarnation with new–or old, unlearned experiences. What is important is the assimilation of experience, for if it does not take place, it will have to be undergone again and again until the lesson inherent in each one is learnt by the soul; this can sometimes prove to be wearisome. Life on earth should not be seen as a chance happening, as a biological occurrence in time and space, or as a chemical formation spawned by chaotic forces. Life is Real, is the only Reality and has a definite purpose. Knowing that life was formed on the earth plane for a purpose encourages the soul to discover that purpose. Soul-objective is known to the awareness-principle at deeper levels of consciousness and at the conscious level prior to incarnation. The purpose or intent of the Spirit, however, is normally forgotten once the “waters of Lethe” is drunk during the process of birthing.

Our main task set by evolution is to be aware or more conscious of the “unconscious” levels of the mind; thus transcending the state of mediocrity or mortality. Mortal beings are not courageous enough to think, contemplate or face the conditions of death, they thus miss the true opportunities that life affords. When one fears death, one has not yet begun to live. “Death” to average individuals, is always thought of in connection with other people and never their own. This refusal to be spiritually-aware bind souls to an unproductie life in the cosmic scheme. This is the complaint of all mystics concerning the sons of men. In the Old Testament we read,

“Man lies down and never rises. They rouse not from their sleep.” (Job 14:12)

From what we have said so far, it may be surmised that there are various forms of death, and this is true. St. Paul hints of this when he declared, “I die daily” (I Cor 15:31). We tabulate the forms of death in the following:

1) Death to higher realities and verities

2) Death to a higher awareness of divinity

3) Death of one’s slumber in matter

4) Death of the false ego and its carnal, self-centered desires

5) Death of sleep

6) Death of the physical and etheric bodies

7) Death of the astral body


8) Death of the mental form

We will briefly describe each one: death to higher realities and verities, and the death to higher awareness of divinity are related. This is in fact the involutionary path of the soul as it descends for the first time in a new cycle of manifestation, or “manvantara.” In involution the soul loses a

The Secret and the Law of Attraction Philosophy Can Change your Life

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

The law of attraction was first published in the book the science of getting rich and states that you get what you think about. This philosophy is centered on the idea that your thoughts and emotions control your destiny. The science of getting rich was written in the year 1910 by Wallace D. Wattles and has inspired a successful film called the secret. At the very core of the movie the secret is the law of attraction philosophy which reveals a whole new perspective on reality: we attract those things in life that we focus on. You can find out all the information you need on this fascinating subject at law-of-attraction-beyond.com.

The law of attraction, also the central idea of the movie the secret, tells us that we are the ones that create our very own reality. Our thoughts and feelings are closely related to our existence and what we get in life. The reality around us depends on the positive or negative things that we choose to focus on. For example, if we only see the negative parts in something we will never see anything positive that might be there right in front of us. If someone repeatedly states that he hates his job he will never see any of the satisfying aspects. The law of attraction is as simple as that. Just wanting something isn’t enough if we are obsessed with not having it. The result of a negative mentality will be blocking out our true desires.

The science of getting rich, and later on the secret lead to an unprecedented phenomenon. Especially after viewing the secret people were thirsty for more information on the Universal Laws. They were eager to find out how to make the most of their natural capabilities. The movie made them feel tired of attracting negatives and become prepared to embrace a completely new mentality. It is important to realize that attracting wellbeing and abundance is knowledge to a certain extent. This knowledge has become available to anyone by means of the science of getting rich and the law of attraction.

There are many different types of personalities and each person has its own way of manifesting. Some people are better at manifesting than others and they sometimes seem to really be the lucky ones. These people look like they have everything they want in life and they put so little effort into obtaining it. This may be a consequence of the fact that they were born with the knowledge of manifesting already intact. However, not being born with extraordinary capabilities doesn’t mean you can’t practice and even surpass the talent manifested by another person. People who are so efficient in attracting the positive have usually trained their minds into completely focusing on their desires. They sometimes attract without even realizing that they do so, because they have already learned the power of their own thoughts so well. If someone came to such a person and suggested that they couldn’t have something or don’t deserve it, this person wouldn’t even pay attention. Not deserving is not part of their reality anymore. Completely eliminating negatives and barriers can do wonders for your life and you can experience an incredible feeling of liberation. Understanding how the law of attraction truly works can be the first step to a life filled with accomplishments and abundance.

Your thoughts control what you get in life. The law of attraction as described in the science of getting rich tells us to make the most of our lives by exploring our own natural capabilities. Whatever we want in life we can obtain with the proper mentality and approach to things. The secret has opened people’s minds to the Universal Laws and brought them a brand new perspective on their existence. Wallace D. Wattles introduced the world to the science of getting rich and brought great changes into many people’s lives around the world. At law-of-attraction-beyond.com you will find all the information you need to start making a change in your life.

The law of attraction was explained very well in the movie the secret and has changed many lives. The philosophy of the law of attraction was first stated in the secret of getting rich by Wallace Wattles and states that we get what we focus on. Find out more by visiting our website.

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions

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Thomas S. Kuhn's classic book is now available with a new index. "A landmark in intellectual history which has attracted attention far beyond its own immediate field. . . . It is written with a combination of depth and clarity that make it an almost unbroken series of aphorisms. . . . Kuhn does not permit truth to be a criterion of scientific theories, he would presumably not claim his own theory to be true. But if causing a revolution is the hallmark of a superior paradigm, [this book] has bee

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Willard Van Orman Quine, Professor Emeritus at Harvard University, has been described as the greatest living English-speaking philosopher. In this series, he takes part in an in-depth personal interview, and a penetrating analysis of his life’s work in six panel discussions with some of today’s leading philosophers. In discussions with some of today’s leading philosophers. In discussions on his most important theses, Quine defends his views against the major criticisms—past and recent—to bring his position right up-to-date. The Block Panel Professor Ned Block is chairman of the philosophy department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He specializes in philosophy of science, philosophy of mind and philosophy of psychology and his main area of current study concerns, he says, what we can learn about consciousness from neuropsychology. He has published widely in his fields, and has co-edited with Gerald Dworkin The IQ Controversy. He has written Imagery and edited two volumes of the Readings in Philosophy of Psychology. In this program Professor Quine is questioned about his views on some of the major topics in philosophy of mind. His linguistic behaviorism is carefully examined and compared with programs in linguistics and neuroscience, and his gives his opinions on the field of cognitive science. The program concludes with Quine’s views on the topics of mental causation and consciousness.

The Metaphysical View of Death and Life After Death Part 1

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011

Humanity throughout the ages have seen death as something loathsome and gruesome; something dreadful, something preferable to avoid at all cost–that is, if a choice were given–but without any other option, are forced to succumb for lack of any power over its occurrence. Anticipating the termination of life at an unexpected moment and the possible prospect of annihilation of self-identity, humanity views death as a state or condition to be feared. This fear is sustained when all around, most of the dying are seen to seemingly suffer in anguish and in agony in the death process. The fear of death is actually man’s fear of the unknown, and it indicates man’s bondage to his ignorance which ultimately grows into superstitious expressions. Because of the underlying fear, man attempts laboriously to postpone death through medicine and other means; medical science has, however, not yet found a way to prolong life indefinitely–or to ease one’s fears, to offer solace, or to answer profound questions regarding this ancient mystery. Knowing the true nature of death releases man from his bondage to his fears and to the clinging of his varied superstitions pertaining to it. Such knowledge based upon personal experience may be acquired–beliefs to the contrary places an illusory boundary upon the unfolding soul. Alice Bailey, writing for the Tibetan in “A Treatise on White Magic,” refers to man’s fears regarding death:

“The mind of man is so little developed that fear of the unknown, terrors of the unfamiliar, and attachment to form have brought a situation where one of the most beneficent occurrences in the life cycle of an incarnating Son of God is looked upon as something to be avoided and postponed for as long a time as possible.” (1972:494)

We can see from her statement that one of the factors that causes man to struggle against death, is the attachment to form. The identification of the Self with the physical form misleads one into thinking that the dissolution of the physical body results in the annihilation of the Self. Sri Sankaracharya, the eminent exponent of Advaita Vedanta, taught that the deluded mind with its beliefs in the reality of form causes bondage to Maya, or Cosmic Illusion. Philosophically speaking, this is the state of duality, and unless man perceives the One Reality underlying the dualistic worlds, and as his true nature, he lives in fear and in a state of slavery. What is Real cannot be destroyed, what is unreal does not exist apart from our false perception and understanding. This is avidya, or ignorance. To apprehend the true state of things is to be truly liberated from death. One’s consciousness is expanded and raised to a divine estate when Reality is known and death seen for what it really is. What Bailey does not mention is that the soul-process of “death” may be experienced in the meditative state. Mystics call this “dying while living,” and advanced mystics have reached a state where they may predetermine and trigger the time and process of their physical and mystical deaths–these are executed with divine permission. Mystical deaths offers one the opportunity to acquire the beautific vision called Marifatullah by Islamic gnostics. We will not dwell on this mystical aspect in this paper but focus more on the physical side of death and dying.

Before continuing further, let us first provide a definition of the branch of study dealing with death. The study is properly termed, “Thanatology” (from Greek thanatos, “death”). The Encyclopedia Britannica explains it thus:

“. . . the description or study of death and dying and the psychological mechanisms of dealing with them. Thanatology is concerned with the notion of death as popularly perceived and especially with the reactions of the dying, from whom it is felt much can be learned about dealing with death’s approach . . . Generally, psychologists have agreed that there are two overall concepts concerning death that help in understanding the simultaneous processes of living and dying. The “my death versus your death” concept emphasizes the irrational belief that while “your death” is a certainty, an exemption may be made in “my case.” The second concept, “partial deaths versus total extinction” stresses the belief that by experiencing the bereavement following the deaths of friends and relatives, a person is brought as close as possible to realizing “partial death.” These experiences colour the individual’s attitude toward greater personal losses, culminating with the ultimate loss, life itself.

“Thanatology also examines attitudes toward death, the meaning and behaviours of bereavement and grief, and the moral and ethical questions of euthanasia, organ transplants, and life support.”

Thanatology deals with death from various perspectives, from the cultural and anthropological standpoint, the clinical, biological, religious, metaphysical, etc. Death itself is defined in dictionaries as “an extinction of life,” the “ceasing to be.”

Ordinarily, the average person would avoid talking or thinking about death. When chosen as a topic for discussion, for instance, the subject is frequently and promptly relegated to the background of life’s many “evil” necessities and often spoken in hushed tones. Death has always been a taboo subject in unenlightened social circles. Man’s present negative attitude and understanding of the nature of death may cause self-inflicted suffering, torment, and pain. Man’s lack of understanding of the truth of death is mainly the result of a deficiency in the knowledge of spiritual verities, and in an absence of spiritual awareness. Religious doctrines and materialistically-oriented educational systems have inadvertently encouraged man’s negative attitude towards death. They paint horrible conditions of the after-death state, ranging from eternal punishment and torture in fashions exceeding the cruelties and atrocities of the Inquisition, to the materialistic view of nihilism and annihilation. Religion and the academic institutions offer no real comfort or solace to those whose loved ones have faced the great change. The only recourse for individuals seeking a greater understanding of death is by acquiring metaphysical knowledge concerning its nature and by developing a greater awareness of multi-dimensional life; for life simply is, it cannot cease to be. Life is Real and eternal for it is not compounded. Forms are compounded, therefore, they are evanescent. Clinging and being attached to what is temporal, and from the point of view of the Absolute as “illusory,” makes one often feel threatened to life’s varied circumstances.

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In order to be relieved from suffering in the form of bereavement and anguish, humanity as a whole would have to be re-educated as to the true nature of death, its value, its process, and regarding the state of life after the great transition. One’s frame of reference for personal existence has to be expanded to include multi-dimensional worlds, to one’s immortal aspect, and not circumscribed to physical matter. Concomitant to this cleansing process of the mind of its false beliefs and notions concerning death–both the result of social conditioning and brainwashing–there should also be a search, an investigation into the true purpose of life. For to pass through transition not knowing the purpose of one’s personal existence is to have lived in vain. It is said that to die well we must first learn to live well, and this is true, for our negative karma and our wrong attitudes and apprehension of death causally leads us to pain and suffering in the bardo, the death process–of which we will deal in later chapters. For this reason it is incumbent upon us all to embark upon the study of thanatology–the science of death, as understood by metaphysics, to live a worthwhile life, to relieve the sense of suffering, and to efface our misgivings regarding death and the after-death state. Death is simply a transformation, a process analogous to a caterpillar-turned-butterfly through metamorphosis.

Our “fate” and experiences in the afterlife and in the death process are both determined largely by our karma, beliefs, knowledge (or lack of it), purity, righteousness, and understanding of the mission and purpose of our sojourn in the physical plane. Life in this physical dimension should be seen as an opportunity to mature and to liberate oneself from all mortal restrictions even though functioning through an organic vessel. Some people experiencing the vicissitudes and hardships of life often complain that it was not their wish to be born, implying that it was not their wish to live or to be here in this physical world, and yet, in this they contradict themselves by expressing a fear of death, saying that they do not wish to die–implying that they wish to live. Such inconsistencies reflect the state of non-awareness of spiritual realities and verities. Death should be perceived as an initiation into the higher mysteries of Nature. It is thus one of the most important events in one’s spiritual journey. Mastery of one’s life, of one’s lower self, and service to the Higher Intelligences, is the wise preparation for this great initiatory experience.

In ancient cultures, the existence of the afterlife was taken for granted. In former eras there have been concepts or beliefs in the afterlife such as the “Happy Hunting Grounds” “Olympus” and the “Elysian Fields.” The spiritual instincts of early and modern man have always rebelled against the idea of death, and rightly so, for death in reality is non-existent, but the average person is normally unaware and ignorant of this truth, or he chooses to ignore it for

Which modern philosopher do you life the best?

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Question by : Which modern philosopher do you life the best?
By modern I mean anybody who is born after 1400 ACE
* life= like….. lol

Best answer:

Answer by Applehunter
Immanuel Kant or John Locke.

What do you think? Answer below!

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (IPA ˈfʁiːdʁɪç ˈvɪlhəlm ˈniːtʃə) (Röcken, near Lützen, October 15, 1844 – Weimar, August 25, 1900) was a philosopher, poet, musician and German philologist, considered one of the most influential modern thinkers of the 19th century. He made a thorough critique of the culture, religion and Western philosophy, through the deconstruction of the concepts that comprise them, based on the analysis of moral attitudes (positive and negative) to life. This work profoundly affected generations of theologians, philosophers, sociologists, psychologists, poets, novelists and playwrights. He meditated on the consequences of the triumph of the secularism of the Enlightenment, expressed in your comment “God is dead”, in a way that determined the agenda of many of the best-known intellectuals after his death. While some argue that the defining characteristic of Nietzsche is not so much the theme was but the style and the subtlety with which did it, he was an author who introduced, like no other, a worldview which has reorganized the thought of the 20th century, authors such as Jacques Derrida, Martin Heidegger, Michel Foucault and Deleuze among others. Nietzsche received recognition during the second half of the 20th century as a significant figure in modern philosophy. His influence was particularly noticeable in the Existentialist critics, phenomenological, Existentialism and postmodern philosophers. He is considered one of the three “masters of suspicion

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