(April 19, 2014 at 10:00 am)fr0d0 Wrote: I agree with you about God whateverist. His realm encompasses ours IMO.
I understand you to be open to the possibility of the existence some sort of supernatural force. Maybe that's the origin of thoughts on the subject. Coincidence, dreams, etc feed the habit. I think it's a dangerous area.
I find some explanations of spiritual reality convincing (obviously!). Those are entirely practical and have become more so the older I get. I have had very many dreams of future events. Nothing helpful. Some of places and things previously unknown to me. I still put those down to the power of imagination and the subconscious mind. What I'm really convinced of is the practical benefit of belief in enabling a positive outlook. Assuming God, for me, understanding the reason for God, makes everything else fall into place.
For me, the natural we know is the wonder of the supernatural behind it. It really is a fully immersive experience that acknowledges the awesomeness of it in a wider context, addressing all of the human rather than the constituent parts independently. Do I need that to survive or even enjoy the experience? No. Is my experience enhanced? Yes I think so.
People, IMO, are Christians through understanding, and not supernatural experience, if that's what you think I believe.
I wouldn't put it that way (bolded). It doesn't go beyond the natural, just beyond the personal. Whatever it is that allows trillions of cells to come together and submerge their life force and activity into what gives rise to one being is pretty remarkable. So much goes on below the surface to give rise to our sense of being.
I don't find I need to imagine another mind or self, separate from me to feel my experienced enhanced. It is enough for me that whatever gives rise to me is capable of so much. Being open to what that is and can become keeps me pretty enthused, and free from muggledom.
It isn't clear to me why you need to imagine that the mystery which creates and supports you also creates and supports the entire universe. I'm content to let the mystery be as that song Chas shared put it. But then again I don't entirely understand why I need what I need either.
