reply to post by gimme_some_truth
Aloha, Gimme_Some_Truth.
Well, this is a thread I am interested in replying to, questions which address the qualitative difference between animals and humans. It has been said
by great sages (defined as those who dedicate their lives to realization of higher truth) that only in the human form of life can we begin to search
out our relationship with God. Otherwise, we have eating, sleeping, mating and defending in common with animal life.
What distinguishes us in the human form is that we ARE ABLE to ask the basic questions "WHO AM I?" and "WHY AM I HERE?" Not that everyone does. We
know plenty of the type who basically live for the same basic principles that govern animals. Although in the POTENTIALLY HIGHER human form, they are
in practice essentially no different than animals.
Now, we get into "Who or what is God, and does God exist?" A question, again, to which through the ages countless seeking souls have dedicated
their lives to answer.
I am going to say that basically, there are two groups of those I have run into who are convinced there is something higher than themself, which some
call God, some call The Creator, some call The Oversoul, the White Light, etc., etc., etc. So many names for this larger idea that we are smaller
than, and not in control of, actually the other way around. The two groups basically think either that ultimately, there is a personal aspect to God,
or that ultimately, the sincere seeker will go beyond all personality to the Void or the Light.
Okay, I am in the God is the Supreme Person group. I want a personal relationship with God. This just makes sense to me. I certainly think of myself
as a person and I like being a person and would be fine with continuing to be a person. I do not want to "merge into the Light" forever or like
that. To me while it might be fine or restful for a while, and even joyful, it would ultimately end up boring. I think of personal pastimes as
enjoyable, and to be in the company of the Supreme Person (or even friends of God) is what I want. I don't want to go into the void. That seems like
the soul going on strike to me. Just the truth.
Also, no question in my experience that reincarnation exists. It doesn't matter if you believe in it or not. It is a fact. The reason that we don't
all remember all our lives is because we would go crazy. We are here because our souls decided to turn away from service to God (well we are smaller,
eternal souls, same in substance but infinitely smaller in size) and wanted to enjoy sense gratification separately in this material form.
The earth is in a corner of the universe which is dedicated to souls like us who turn away, and then anything can happen (because it is all illusory,
in the sense of temporary). Here we have miniscule free choice to do what we want. It's not that God does not exist because we choose to do evil,
just that there is a corner for those of us who want our freedom to be "Lords" of our own domain. It is a big self-imposed scam, in reality. The
joke is on us. Most are pretty covered over in this selfish, amnesiac illusion. Karma (action/reaction) gives everyone a combination of what we
deserve and what we desire. Bad stuff and good stuff come around, either this life or another. It is called the wheel of Samsara by the Buddists, they
have that right. It's just that getting off the wheel to Buddhists ends in the Void, not my thing.
We put on bodies like clothing, then drop them when they wear out. We create samskaras, impressions, on our subtle mind/bodies that carry over into
the between life experience and bring us back to be reborn again. These impressions are reactions to actions, unfulfilled desires, etc. We then get
suitable bodies. The idea is to ultimately achieve/regain our original, eternal form in the spiritual world, in our eternal relationship with God.
Hope this helps.