Humanity does have great potential, and its potential covers an incredibly wide spectrum. We are capable of living in civilised harmony, but we are also capable of being the most brutal and cruel creatures on our planet. We might see that difference in terms of being good or bad, but it is neither, it is just what we are. There isn't a force of good, and a force of evil that compete with each other, they are just human concepts, and have no existence in nature.
When we look at history, and how humans have treated each other in the past, it is tempting to think that we are somehow different now, that we have evolved beyond the savagery we were once capable of. But it is only our social behaviour that has evolved, whereas we are still the same animals that hacked and clubbed their rivals to death without a second thought, and burnt people at the steak, merely for thinking differently to the authority in power at the time. It is by being aware of what we really are, and being aware of what a fragile barrier our civilisation is against our reverting back, that we can best safeguard ourselves for the future. Thinking we can channel the "positive" vibrations and energies in the universe to look after us isn't going to cut the mustard.
I even had to laugh at myself for using the phrase, "cut the mustard".
Thanks, bod. I thought it might have something to do with the things you fear, but even my idea of what that might mean was pretty vague. Perhaps it's anything that troubles you significantly. I just wondered if something more specific was meant when people use the term.
I saw the first two series, and fell head over heels for her. I got bored with the programme, but definitely not with her. And yes, I am ashamed of myself, at my age.
Just out of interest, BB, what do you understand people to mean when they talk about "their demons"? You don't have to be guarded; I'm not asking so I can argue about it with you.
What would be an example of such a demon? This is pure curiosity, nothing more.
Well it certainly doesn't belong in religion, in fact, it's its worst enemy. That's probably why I have a higher opinion of it than you do. In the end, I suppose we resort to what seems to work best for us, and folks vary widely in that respect.
This word "ego" is being bandied about as if we know what the thing is. It seems to me that it is an oversimplistic name for various elements of human psychology that, some of which, we don't actually know anything about.
It's a programme that holds your fascination, while at the same time appalling you with its sheer bad taste. When it comes to entertainment, they really are scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Certainly it does, but only in conjunction with a genuine conviction that honesty is your holy grail. And it is also important to make surprise spot checks on yourself, to make sure you are not giving in to the temptation of bending the truth to make living with yourself more comfortable.
It's a hard road, but the only one that leads to true enlightenment.
Well I couldn't be my authentic self if it depended on my loving all mankind.
I'm afraid I would fall miserably short on that requirement, as well.
You see, there is the John Lennon type, who love humanity, yet seem to despise the individual, and there is my type, who likes, or even loves, some individuals, but doesn't give a hoot about mankind,
Circlip Forum Posts (826)
RE: Authentic Self
Humanity does have great potential, and its potential covers an incredibly wide spectrum. We are capable of living in civilised harmony, but we are also capable of being the most brutal and cruel creatures on our planet. We might see that difference in terms of being good or bad, but it is neither, it is just what we are. There isn't a force of good, and a force of evil that compete with each other, they are just human concepts, and have no existence in nature.When we look at history, and how humans have treated each other in the past, it is tempting to think that we are somehow different now, that we have evolved beyond the savagery we were once capable of. But it is only our social behaviour that has evolved, whereas we are still the same animals that hacked and clubbed their rivals to death without a second thought, and burnt people at the steak, merely for thinking differently to the authority in power at the time. It is by being aware of what we really are, and being aware of what a fragile barrier our civilisation is against our reverting back, that we can best safeguard ourselves for the future. Thinking we can channel the "positive" vibrations and energies in the universe to look after us isn't going to cut the mustard.
I even had to laugh at myself for using the phrase, "cut the mustard".