General Theorem of Existence

[Suki]

I have read some of Albert Camus'works, such as the "The Stranger", and in Spanish "La Peste" as well as some of his essays on existentionalism. It hypnotizes the reader into the psychological states of the author. But I can not believe in its essential premise, "That this is it, and once you die...that's it as well." That life can be empty and meaningless, and that all of us live in an existential void. In our modern, Western civilization-oriented society we do feel a void, and so the existentialists ring true, in many respects, but I believe in the ancient, eastern religious philosophies, they make sense to me. If you want an explanation of why eastern philosophy and religion makes sense to me, read a small, powerful book entitled, "The Science of Religion" by Siri Yukteswar. It concisely explains why religion and science are working together to reveal essential truth, and how human beings can reach spiritual liberation through yoga practice and absolute focus. It is very difficult to become liberated according to the eastern philosophers because we create our own prisons, through our false beliefs, perceptions, earth-bound desires, and through information we constantly receive through our five senses. Try stopping your flow of thoughts in your mind for five minutes, and you will realize how difficult it is to discipline an unruly mind. Yet if you try, you start getting great rewards. After all these philosophies, have had thousands of years of human knowledge synthesized at its core, and it has become refined and effective. The important thing is to have a philosophy and to start implementing it in your life. Otherwise what the existentialists talk about will become your only reality (and to me it is very disappointing).

[Eddier1]

Suki;

Listen if eastern philosophies “work” for you in terms of your own individual psychological state, in being able to “focus” on your inner self, then there is no argument about you going for it.

However, we occidental philosophers do not rely on such individualism as you depicted in your post, but rather we strive through thought to arrive at a state of public agreement as to the truth, which is acceptable to all thinkers as a team or group representing that truth as not only concepts of truth organized into a system of thought called a philosophy, but which is equally important as A WAY OF LIFE.

In this “way”, there are no inherent contradictions in the philosophy we achieve. However, can your adherents of eastern philosophies say the same thing? What I am referring to is the latent contradiction inherent in translating your core beliefs and/or ideas into action. It is noticed that you easterners practice lots of meditation and even physical exercises to achieve an individual state of heightened consciousness. But when it comes to the criterion of human practice, the contradictions emerge. For example, in the eastern art of warfare, many of you eastern philosophers contradict your inner individual peace and contemplation to become team players in wars, and are no longer “individuals“. You “flow like water” in unity around the enemy applying a group action of unrelenting pressure to destroy the foe. This contradiction, also witnessed in other arenas of eastern world existence is not only a contradiction between thought and action, but also produces sometimes bizarre results of great unpleasantness.

Suki, for philosophy to provide the great consolation of truth, all such contradictions must be identified and resolved.

Regards,
EddieR

[Suki]

First of all, thanks for responding Eddie, you have interesting concepts to explain, but your perception of what philosophy is I respectfully disagree with. I believe we live in an inherently contradictory world. For night there is day, for white there is black, for a beginning there is an end, that is the dual nature in many respects of planet Earth. War is not advocated by advanced Practicioners of Yoga or any other major religious practice. Only defense is acceptable, and not necessarily in all religions. If contradictions in human nature did not exist then there would be no conflict, no struggle for existence and evolution would stop. This world was made to challenge us on all levels through finding meaning and ultimately making peace with our contradictions. I do not think we become absolutely perfect in an imperfect world, but we do change, transform ourselves and grow hopefully to find peace in our internal and external contradictions. Even philosophy struggles constantly through changes and adjustments,that is the nature of the beast of living in a human culture. Why everything must be resolved to be effective is strange to me, I hope you can discuss more in depth Eddie. Gracias. And I am not Asian, Suki is a nickname short for "Azucar" that my grandmother gave me when I was a little girl. I see Yoga as a scientific practice cause if properly practiced it works for everyone.

[Suki]

Public Agreement to Truth Eddie R is a difficult concept to defend. The dominant culture in the United States 170 years ago thought that blacks were inferior and that was THE TRUTH, or scientists that believed that because women were generally smaller in size than men, that meant that they had smaller brains, incapable of dealing with complex decisions such as voting or rational thinking. People vary so much that having every individual in a given society whether a Western society or an Eastern society agree on what is acceptable public truth is impossible. Like the saying goes in Spanish "Cada cabeza es un mundo," and "Cada loco con su tema", every person's truth is open to questioning. What is true for one person, one culture, one country isn't necessarily the truth for all people, all cultures and all countries. That is why in the world there are different topographies, with people adapting to that particular land and developing cultures that allow survival in that environment, what works in one social system is disastrous in another social system. So truth in absolute terms does not exist, only adaptable societies. What is truth? Coca-cola is delicious and refreshing says the Coke selling people, Coca-Cola is bad for your health say the health industry. Which is true? ask the person that drinks and loves Coke, he will say it is good. Ask a health food practicioner and he will say it is bad. Who is living the truth?

[PRtaina]

Jesus IS the TRUTH!

John 14:6

[Suki]

Jesus is the truth for you. I respect that. May you always live your faith. I have my beliefs, they are the truth for me, I hope you respect those beliefs as well. This is a philosophy discussion board, is there anything you would like to discuss about Christian philosophical ideas with us? I would like to hear from you PRTaina.

[conciencia]

Suki,

I like your inner peace, I can see it. Christians do belief in forever existance. We do change in physical ways and forms, but we are really invisible being made to last forever. This filtering system we currently experiencing will end soon. Some of us will cease to exist because our Creator will see to that, those who "properly filtered will continue to live.

The cease of live is of no suffereing like many of "today Christians believe" instead the complete erasing or termination is the price.

True Christianity, teaches the immense love our Creator has for us (we are his children), he is a great communicator, but some of these lost sheeps still believe in the talking of "thongues" with no translator, obviously what enteres in their physical body is other than goodness.

Meditation with ourself was practice largely by the old Christians, only a few of us do today.

Yoga is not the only alternative for peace and meditation, I invite you to seek the truth about Christianity and you will be enlighten. Not all of us go to war or even relate to any war atributes.