Picking up on part of yesterday’s post: As I draw nearer to the end of my time in this world, I am finding that my rather ill-informed agnosticism is not enough to take me there in comfort and acceptance. The total eclipse of Judith is something that seems wasteful, and leaves me feeling unsatisfied.
I know that I shall be passing on my genes down the generations, as mine have been passed to me; and I know that I shall leave behind the effect of my presence in this life on the people I have known, also possibly in a published book if I get on with it, and certainly in this blog in cyberspace, for as long as the host chooses to keep it there. The genes will go on forever of course, being modified and, hopefully, improved as they are passed down. But the rest is still pretty transitory.
I would like to think that there is some form of recycling or re-use, or something of durable value which would survive, though not necessarily of my individual self. Here’s a thought: perhaps I could offer my soul by email to my local Freecycle Group, where people can exchange unwanted items for nothing, rather than throw them away:OFFERED: One soul, female Well used but good for a year or two yet. Collection Hertfordshire area.
Seriously though, reincarnation doesn’t seem logically sound, as the number of people on earth is not constant: where would the extra souls come from for the extra people? The best I have been able to think up is that there might be some sort of universal consciousness-at-large, with which the individual consciousness might merge when it no longer has a corporeal home, possibly even contributing something to the general expansion of that consciousness.
I do not ask for scientific proof in order to be able to believe, at least enough to have peace of mind, but perhaps for a good logical possibility of something as yet unconfirmed by science. I’d love to have your ideas, dear readers, if you are still with me after this long post.[I found these gorgeous representations of consciousness via Google Images.]
9 comments:
I read Conversations With God quite by accident, and though I'm not a believer in a personal god, the ideas presented in that book made me think in directions I hadn't previously. The movie, What the Bleep Do We Know also had a deep impact on my thinking. I dwell somewhere between science and spirituality; I'm not Christian, not quite an atheist, not really an agnostic. I'm not even really searching anymore - I've come to a place of mystery that is quite satisfying and for the time being, enough. I like to think my awareness will go on, even when my body has returned to earth. If I should go first and there's a way to let you know, I will. (My mother and I had that same pact and she did not let me down.)
This post touched me more than I can tell you. I come from a long line of Baptists/Church of Christ who think I'm going to hell for not believing like them. One of my best friends is a Christian/Wiccan (I know, but she's a Gnostic Christian who relatives claim is going to hell also)
Most organized religions are hard for me to believe in, I have no use for a diety who is misogynist or discards entire groups of people because of their sexual preferences, skin color or genetics.
Nice to meet ya, got here from "Time Goes By"
Judith - how about Buddhism?
Hi Judith! it's great to see you writting again. Your previous posts about Michael were really beautiful and moving.
I'm a Catholic, and I think my belief helps me a lot in my life. It doesn't matter which religion you belive in (or if you don't believe in any religion) as long as it helps you to be better person.
A very big hug from your friend.
Faith is a curious notion and one that I've never fully understood. There must be an innate sense of wanting to "belong" in most of us and faith satisfies that. Even those who profess to have no faith have this desire to label themselves as agnostics or atheists, as though atheism was some kind of alternative philosophy with its own set of "anti-belief" beliefs. I'm happy with my lack of desire to believe. I don't feel I've missed out; life is a vast pick 'n'mix, satisfaction guaranteed by taking a handful of whatever's on offer as you pass, spritual or otherwise. No arguments and no conflict except when the common decency is compromised. I have no problem with folk believing in something intangible as long as it stays as a personal belief.
I wouldn't mind coming back or there being some kind of afterlife but I don't hold out much hope. Doris Stokes has been gone ages but hasn't checked in yet as far as I know.
There is too much of mystery and miracle surrounding us for me to think us soulless. I am too much of a romantic to think there is no higher plan. I am too much of an intellectual to have blind faith. But an answer? The closest I come is when I see my flowers, so obviously dead and gone during the winter, return in their full glory each summer. If them, why not me? And if there are no answers at the moment, isn't the questioning itself wonderful?
Happy Birthday, Judith....
Hullo Judith - I come to you via a recommendation from Secret Hill (HerhimnBryn) and can see why she recommended you.
We all have our personal ways of understanding where we go when we leave here. Personally I believe that "I" shall cease to exist in my present form. Conservation of matter suggests that everything in this world is made from everything that was here at its conception. Thus I am made up from the atoms of previous lives, dinosaurs, trees, earth and mountains and will dissolve, metamorphose and amalgamate after death into other forms - earth, air, fire or water.
That is the only "reincarnation" I believe and I find it very heartening. What we are made from has always been here and always will, no matter what.
Yes, Avus, I find that entirely satisfying for the physical body. I think it is my consciousness and/or spirit that I want to see catered for - if indeed they exist in a separate medium from the physical. But where does brain matter end and consciousness begin, if at all? Perhaps the scientists will say that it is all rooted in the physical brain.
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