I find it interesting that “seeing” the moon is what you think he meant when he pointed to the moon. Symbolically, on the positive side, the moon represents a plethora of emotion (feeling), creativity (invariably spurred by emotion, the most beautiful and brilliant creations anyway), femininity, imagination… On the negative side, the moon strongly represents fear (feeling).

Yeah, the answer was that we should experience life, but life is more than just “seeing.” Much more. Thankfully

We “need” meaning, because deep down we know that there is meaning, heh It is our lofty “thinking” in lieu of feeling that impedes us — greatly. Even so, we know there’s “something.” We know (feel). The problem is we think of ourselves as such lowly ones (per religious teachings), that it’s inconceivable to us that this “something” is actually what we are, under all the superficial layers.

And when we plug into that “Zen” thing, we can feel it. When we experience “miracles,” like all that intriguing mind-body stuff, we can see it. In those fleeting moments when we allow ourselves to be “psychic” and allow ourselves to see kinda magical things in this life, we’re seeing that “meaning,” briefly… Our lofty thinking cuts it short for some reason. Maybe ’cause we’re feelin’ the other side of the moon, heh Lotsa fear. Fear that we may be more, and that’s just too freaky, lol And besides, that’s not what “dad” told us — “worthless little shit.” Sad.

When we “pray” (powerful emotions married to our powerful words or thoughts), we see the results of that power. Power that is coming from us (science has proven the power of “prayer”). When star athletes affirm (feeling/words) and visualize their next win, they later see the “magic” of those thoughts/feelings as the cross the finish line… They’re not “praying” to a “God” outside of them with their affirmations, but the one within them. Same results. Interesting

Like the moon, the symbol of the “devil” also has two sides. On a good day, “he” is about our passion and amazing sexuality — good stuff On the other days, that symbol is about our intense fear, self-loathing and all that. Damn right ,”he” (fear) controls us a lot of the time…holds us back from truly living and enjoying life. We allow him too anyway.

So unfortunate…and it is religious teachings that have taught us to wallow in his bad self — and even hate and deny the very good side of “him” (powerful passion and sexuality). And oddly enough, that side of us is rocket fuel for creating very cool things. Very empowering — do ya’ not feel powerful, even courageous, in passionate moments (sexual or otherwise)? (The moon, emotions, remember?) Hmm, now why would a mega-controlling social system (religion) want to keep that from us??

We don’t need meaning, we are the “meaning”

Peace,
Dove

In fact, there is sometimes whats known as an “extinction burst”, wherein the rate of behavior actually increases, briefly, following the cessation of reinforcement.

I can’t help but apply this to another part of our lives (some of our lives, anyway): parenting. It’s a fact – children will get worse before they break a bad habit, and that “getting worse” phase is where most parents give up. Now that you know, perhaps you can be more effective at discipline. [end side comment]

In fact, there is sometimes whats known as an “extinction burst”, wherein the rate of behavior actually increases, briefly, following the cessation of reinforcement.

Ahh – perhaps like a last burst of fervent prayer from a de-con, right before they finally admit that there was nobody listening after all.

In fact, there is sometimes whats known as an “extinction burst”, wherein the rate of behavior actually increases, briefly, following the cessation of reinforcement.

Sorry—don’t mean to be part of the “jinx” but this intrigued me and I’ll keep it very short:

“The natural human response to unanswered prayer would thus be to pray even harder.

What amazes me about this is that when I believed, this made sense to me.
Now I look back at it and marvel at the abject stupidity of it”.

I guess my question would be what is stupid about it? Let me ask, when a writer submits manuscripts, and they are returned to him, or he hears nothing more from whom he sent them to, should he/she give up? Or should the person keep trying? Many authors have been “rejected” many, many times before they have a manuscript accepted.

“Continuing to ask” is an actual teaching of scripture. In Matthew 7 when it says “Ask and you shall receive” the actual verb tense is “Keep asking and you shall receive”. And Jesus talks about the neighbor, bugged over and over again, who finally answers the door. Jesus is not saying God is like an angry neighbor—–but he is saying to be persistent. To keep asking—don’t give up. I just wanted to point that out. Didn’t mean to be part of a jinx. LOL

I really enjoy it here when the threads lack the Christian apologists who doggedly bring up the same questions and answers over and over again.

Crap, you jinxed it! This thread is going to be full of them now.

Interesting. I see just what you’re saying. Ordinarilly, if you don’t see something, then you just don’t see it or think about it. This can be a problem. To get around it, you have to set up your perceptual “grid” ahead of itme. This is what a well-designed experiment should do. Of course sometimes, if you build a patttern from perceptions, you may begin to see the “holes” in your pattern and thus discern the non-events.

I always thought psychology and neuroscience were interesting…..
(Here comes the fallacy…)
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…. this proves it.

This is a great discussion. I really enjoy it here when the threads lack the Christian apologists who doggedly bring up the same questions and answers over and over again.