Guest guest Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 I too once got caught up in the interminable conversation here as to whether or not the world exists. It's really quite an interesting question, just from the purely philosophical point of view. However, I now think that there is another way of asking the question, which is more profound, from both a philosophical and spiritual point of view. Namely, do I exist and IN WHAT SENSE? The reality of the world is only a reflection or corollary of this more fundamental question. Anyhow, I have not resumed my taste for too much discussion, but that is purely personal, and discussion can be quite beneficial for others, as it was for me at one time and may be again some day. Benjamin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 --- Benjamin Orion <orion777ben wrote: > > I too once got caught up in the interminable > conversation here as to whether or not the > world exists. It's really quite an interesting > question, just from the purely philosophical > point of view. > > However, I now think that there is another > way of asking the question, which is more > profound, from both a philosophical and > spiritual point of view. > > Namely, do I exist and IN WHAT SENSE? - not by any SENSE of the word!- since word is thought and unless you believe in 'I think therefore I am!" Benjamin - Look at the question this way - self-existent cannot ask the question whether 'I exist"? Since the very questioning presupposes my existence. Self-existent entity is self-conscious entity. We can only ask whether 'the world exists?" since it is not self-conscious entity and therefore neither self-existent entity. Unconscious entity is that whose existence depends on something other than itself - anya adheena prakaashhatvam tat jadam - or anya adheena satvatvam tat jadam- Whose illumination or whose existence depends on something other than itself. If you say world is Brahman that Brahman cannot be separate from me since I am the one who affirming the existence of the world. Hence your existence is beyond any questions and world existence can be questionable by you, since it has no existence other than as Brahman that you are. Hari OM! Sadananda > > The reality of the world is only a reflection > or corollary of this more fundamental > question. > > Anyhow, I have not resumed my taste > for too much discussion, but that is > purely personal, and discussion can > be quite beneficial for others, as it > was for me at one time and may be > again some day. > > Benjamin > > > > ===== What you have is destiny and what you do with what you have is self-effort. Future destiny is post destiny modified by your present action. You are not only the prisoner of your past but master of your future. - Swami Chinmayananda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 9, 2004 Report Share Posted December 9, 2004 advaitin, kuntimaddi sadananda <kuntimaddisada> wrote: > > --- Benjamin Orion <orion777ben> wrote: > > > > > I too once got caught up in the interminable > > conversation here as to whether or not the > > world exists. It's really quite an interesting > > question, just from the purely philosophical > > point of view. > > > > However, I now think that there is another > > way of asking the question, which is more > > profound, from both a philosophical and > > spiritual point of view. > > > > Namely, do I exist and IN WHAT SENSE? - not by any SENSE of the word!- > since word is thought and unless you believe in 'I think therefore I > am!" > > Benjamin - Look at the question this way - self-existent cannot ask the > question whether 'I exist"? Since the very questioning presupposes my > existence. Wise response Kuntimaddi Sadananda. I take it that you are a moderator? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 10, 2004 Report Share Posted December 10, 2004 --- lordofthemystic <lordofthemystic wrote: > > Wise response Kuntimaddi Sadananda. I take it that you are a > moderator? Yes, by Shree Ramachandra's (Ram Chandran's) Grace! I have a moderate position! Hari OM! Sadananda ===== What you have is destiny and what you do with what you have is self-effort. Future destiny is post destiny modified by your present action. You are not only the prisoner of your past but master of your future. - Swami Chinmayananda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2004 Report Share Posted December 12, 2004 Hi Sadaji, I see you're still here! Thanks for sharing your comments. Guess I'd better say something... B. > > However, I now think that there is another > > way of asking the question, which is more > > profound, from both a philosophical and > > spiritual point of view. > > > > Namely, do I exist and IN WHAT SENSE? S. > - not by any SENSE of the word!- > since word is thought and unless you believe in 'I think > therefore I am!" > > Benjamin - Look at the question this way - self-existent > cannot ask the question whether 'I exist"? Since the very > questioning presupposes my existence. Self-existent > entity is self-conscious entity. Of course I cannot deny that I exist, for the reason you just said. My point was that after realizing self-existence, the mind may place a false boundary around that existence and call everything that seems to be outside the boundary 'the world'. This is the only way that world comes into existence (apparently). So all the people here who argue about whether or not the world exists should first realize that the question is meaningless unless we first have a false and limited sense of self. In science, it is called an 'ill-posed question'. Not every question can be answered by yes or no. Some are ill-posed. That was my point. This is basically what you are saying and have always said, since it is the essence of Advaita. Anyhow, I'm glad to see that you are doing fine and I hope you enjoy your retirement and get the chance to devote yourself completely to Advaita. Maybe a little Kuchipudi too... (I mean, helping your wife. I don't think either of us should attempt Kuchipudi!) Benjamin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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