Some thoughts on the logic of 'Heaven would be boring' arguments

[Laird]

If none of our reality was ‘firm‘, would we possibly go insane?

We would more than likely become paralysed by indecision - which is (in my view) one way of defining "insane". It's happened to me on more than one occasion.

We would more than likely become paralysed by indecision - which is (in my view) one way of defining "insane". It's happened to me on more than one occasion.

Interesting. I think that might be what’s happening to a lot of people right now. 

They’re being forced into facing things, not facing things would be equally frustrating for those who care.

[Laird]

Interesting. I think that might be what’s happening to a lot of people right now.

Could be, yes - for a lot of us, there's probably a sense that there is so much conflicting information out there that it's impossible on many issues to know what the truth is, or at least too difficult and time-consuming to find out.

I perhaps over-generalised though in suggesting that being confronted by a lack of firm reality leads to indecision: it's what tends to happen to me, but a sample size of one might not quite be large enough to draw firm conclusions from...

I see dissolution as a possibility, perhaps even an inevitability, but after merely one lifetime? To me, one lifetime is but an ink spot in a book. I think reincarnation is real, and must be considered as part of our reality. Perhaps it takes more ‘time’ for some souls to reach a place where dissolution is reached than others, maybe there are some who get it much quicker than others? I am not really a fan of puzzles, probably because I’m not very good at solving them, but strangely enough, the big puzzle that is life, really is what keeps me alive!!!

Similarly, and I think in line with what Prescott was saying, I think that the ultimate fate of the soul is to dispense with the avatar that is endowed with a personality and ego - probably many of them. Spira did seem to be suggesting dissolution at the end of this lifetime, perhaps after a spell in the bardo. He went on to suggest that the dispersed elements that made up the previous personality may coalesce to form a new personality carrying some of the aspects of the previous one. This, in his view, might explain reincarnation. I’m far from convinced by this explanation, however. But then I am still struggling with the dissolution idea which I still find rather frightening, although I read that going through that fearfulness is a necessary stage in the journey towards enlightenment. Who can say for sure?

Similarly, and I think in line with what Prescott was saying, I think that the ultimate fate of the soul is to dispense with the avatar that is endowed with a personality and ego - probably many of them. Spira did seem to be suggesting dissolution at the end of this lifetime, perhaps after a spell in the bardo. He went on to suggest that the dispersed elements that made up the previous personality may coalesce to form a new personality carrying some of the aspects of the previous one. This, in his view, might explain reincarnation. I’m far from convinced by this explanation, however. But then I am still struggling with the dissolution idea which I still find rather frightening, although I read that going through that fearfulness is a necessary stage in the journey towards enlightenment. Who can say for sure?

Nice to see you back, Dave !

You saying “it’s, like, just my opinion, man.” made me think of how true that statement frequently really is when we make our feelings known. The present event has taught us that there is really nowhere or no-one to look to for ‘truth’ - it’s mostly all subjective imo. The bits that appears not to be are the non-conscious bits. It’s like they are in place as a framework with which we find ‘firm ground’ to base at least part of ‘our worldview’ on. If none of our reality was ‘firm‘, would we possibly go insane?

Anyway, back to my original opinion...

I see dissolution as a possibility, perhaps even an inevitability, but after merely one lifetime? To me, one lifetime is but an ink spot in a book. I think reincarnation is real, and must be considered as part of our reality. Perhaps it takes more ‘time’ for some souls to reach a place where dissolution is reached than others, maybe there are some who get it much quicker than others? I am not really a fan of puzzles, probably because I’m not very good at solving them, but strangely enough, the big puzzle that is life, really is what keeps me alive!!!

Perhaps so, but for what it's worth, very many different disparate spiritual teachings say that there is a "spark" of the soul, an individual essence, that is fundamentally, eternally indestructible. Somehow, the self never can lose itself according to these teachings. I tend to favor this point of view, even though it is apparent that whatever this eternal spark is, it isn't the temporary human personality which is what I am presently aware of.

Perhaps so, but for what it's worth, very many different disparate spiritual teachings say that there is a "spark" of the soul, an individual essence, that is fundamentally, eternally indestructible. Somehow, the self never can lose itself according to these teachings. I tend to favor this point of view, even though it is apparent that whatever this eternal spark is, it isn't the temporary human personality which is what I am presently aware of.

Yes, agreed. I have held that same view for many years - ever since first reading Seth Speaks which has the sub-title: "The Eternal Validity of the Soul". Precisely what you are talking about, I think.

However, I'm now having a bit of a philosophical crisis trying to reconcile the Seth message with the Buddhist/Hindu teaching which is echoed by modern teachers like Spira and Tolle.

Yes, agreed. I have held that same view for many years - ever since first reading Seth Speaks which has the sub-title: "The Eternal Validity of the Soul". Precisely what you are talking about, I think.

However, I'm now having a bit of a philosophical crisis trying to reconcile the Seth message with the Buddhist/Hindu teaching which is echoed by modern teachers like Spira and Tolle.

Is it not necessary at some point, to be our own teacher?

At any rate, for myself, I spent a fair portion of my life exploring this and that. After a while though, various ideas of others stopped inspiring me. I found more inspiration in following my own instincts. It has brought me to a place of peace.

Is it not necessary at some point, to be our own teacher?

At any rate, for myself, I spent a fair portion of my life exploring this and that. After a while though, various ideas of others stopped inspiring me. I found more inspiration in following my own instincts. It has brought me to a place of peace.

I wish that were true for me. I have not found peace because I doubt. Doubt the teachers, doubt the philosophies and, most of all, doubt myself. The other day I thought I had grasped what Spira was talking about but I hadn't. My instincts are not distinct. I don't know what to believe.

I wish that were true for me. I have not found peace because I doubt. Doubt the teachers, doubt the philosophies and, most of all, doubt myself. The other day I thought I had grasped what Spira was talking about but I hadn't. My instincts are not distinct. I don't know what to believe.

Neither do I, but I don’t really mind that. I try to maintain a certain lightness about things, being grateful just for being here is helpful, that sort of thing.

I know it’s not always possible.