Sharing New Ideas

[Astral_Anima]

I believe the general condition of mankind is imbalance. we're born and raised with the beliefs/mindsets of our parents and peers who all are born/raised with those their parents and peers. We have very few innovators and people who challenge the general consensus, go against the grain and try something new.

 

I propose the idea that "balance" is not normal, and that trying to achieve balance of body/mind will involve social disharmony. I believe that if one finds balance they will be much different than the rest of society. Most spiritual leaders were innovators, warriors of change. Buddha was part of certain spiritual practices until eventually he gave up following others and decided to try his own way of things. Then he came back with info that went against the general way of things and caused much uproar. Christ when he came stood in the face of Jewish culture and outright opposed it. Even people like Einstein was somewhat of an outcast. People don't like change and don't like to challenge their belief systems but hey, that's the only way to find truth and progress and grow.

 

So I challenge myself and I challenge all of you to think about everything we do and how it effects us and our environment. And to look at different theories of things and honestly consider them. Take a new outlook, forget everything you've been told from others and compare that theory to your experiences. Think about it and maybe do some experiments within that mindset/belief. Think it out, play with concepts, be the guinea pig, test some things out.

 

But MORE importantly I invite you all to share any theories or ideas that may go against the established beliefs of the masses. If you have any ideas or theories about things that go against what is considered "normal" within the context of the topic please share and hear what others have to say. Also if you've had and revelations that brought about a drastic shift in consciousness I'd also be interested on hearing those.

 

Hear are some questions that i've considered and reflects some of my ideas/theories....

 

When we listen to music if it's catchy we may begin to unconsciously start to repeat the words...how might that effect our brain? our thought? If we are constantly repeating lyrics like "I feel so alone, Noone with me here, by myself i cry, overwhelming fear" in our minds, how mite that effect how we think? How do certain frequencies effect our minds?

 

When we see things like violence and sadness or pornography how does that effect us? When those images are shown to us how do they effect our minds? When we're shown things on tv or online and we're in a trance does the mind see them as "real"? How would such a consequence effect one's life?

 

When we eat "food", why are we eating? Do we do it for the sensation of taste? nutrition? What happens to hunger after 3-5 days of not eating? Is the pain we feel in our stomachs hunger or is it our body digesting/processing toxic substances or the pain of our stomachs shrinking? Does the stomach need to be filled for nutritional needs to be met? What is the difference in symptoms between fasting/not eating heavy and drug withdrawl? Does the body REALLY need to ingest other substances outside itself in order to continue existence in this world? If we kill life before we ingest it how would it be different then if it were still alive in terms of its life energy or vibration?

 

When we say something like "I'm so stupid" So does that effect our mind? How do we talk to ourselves on a daily basis? What messages are we sending our brains through what we say? What messages are we sending to others through what we say? How does what we say effect others?

 

When we act a certain way in response to things it becomes more familiar, neuro-nets are built. How do you respond to situations? Does you tend to "react" more rather than respond? How much of our responses are consciously produce and how many are reactionary or out of habbit? If you're having a bad day and someone asks how you're doing do you find yourself still saying "good" or "fine" more out of habbit or social expectation?

 

These are just questions to provoke thought/awareness. Does anyone have any theories about things that may go against popular belief or may challenge the general state of things? I invite all to share and keep an open mind to everything thats out there. And please no judgement on this thread. There's plenty of judgement on the other threads (some of which is done by me), I don't find anything wrong with debate and judgement but this isn't the place for it. This is just an invitation to share and hear new things.

 

-Astral

Edited January 30, 2011 by Astral_Anima

[Jetsun]

Nice topic. My contribution is I think the theory of karmic rebirth is one designed to brainwash people into being submissive so they don't revolt against the top 1% of society who control nearly all the wealth, so the population feel completely responsible for their lot and don't try to change an unfair system. Also I think there is a condradiction between the concepts of karmic rebirth and Buddhist concepts of emptiness yet Buddhists seem to freely accept both concepts without question.

[Marblehead]

I propose the idea that "balance" is not normal, and that trying to achieve balance of body/mind will involve social disharmony. I believe that if one finds balance they will be much different than the rest of society.

-Astral

 

Hi Astral,

 

I have spoken on this concept before so I will here make only a short comment.

 

True balance is almost impossible to attain. It is my belief that if one ever attains true balance they will basically be dead.

 

I rather prefer to speak to harmony. Our external world is in constant flux. We must therefore react to the changes that effect our material life. I call this harmonizing with the external world. Too much Yang? Add more Yin. Too much Yin? Add more Yang. Keep the two in harmony as much as possible.

[devoid]

Hi Astral,

 

I have spoken on this concept before so I will here make only a short comment.

 

True balance is almost impossible to attain. It is my belief that if one ever attains true balance they will basically be dead.

 

I rather prefer to speak to harmony. Our external world is in constant flux. We must therefore react to the changes that effect our material life. I call this harmonizing with the external world. Too much Yang? Add more Yin. Too much Yin? Add more Yang. Keep the two in harmony as much as possible.

 

Astral, good topic.

 

Marblehead, I like your thoughts on harmony as the result of pragmatic balance on many fronts / points.

[Astral_Anima]

Thanks for sharing guys!

 

Anyone else have any theories they want to share that may challenge the general consensus within the context of their topic?

[thelerner]

For some reason I'm reminded of a Bodhi article I was reading, he said it was important to find two meditational systems, one you love, something that clicks with you. And one that you hate, that seems foolish and your instinctively against.

 

Interesting to look at balance vs. harmony. In turbulent times or when change is needed harmony may be more important. When you surf you need dynamic imbalance to stay on top of the wave. Life can be like that.

 

Course its best to practice in the shallow end just balancing on the board for a while.

 

Michael