Nungali Posted June 26 12 hours ago, Cobie said: so that's a 'yes' righto I realize black and white are loaded judgmental terms . It might be better to look at their roots ; attraction and aversion , whether as a life philosophy or ..... anything . A friend said we have relationships like this as well " What do you mean?" I had to ask . " That black and white school stuff ..... I had past relationships with guys that seemed bitter about it , I don't think they appreciated the experience . " I had to add : " Whereas some , don't 'hold it against you ' for having a relationship with them ? " " Yeah ... something like that ..... its an 'attitude thing ' . " Hmmmm .... I think expectations and appreciations do some sort of opposing dance in that one ." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
old3bob Posted June 27 (edited) In (more esoteric) Christianity God actually reaches out to humans through Jesus Christ. In Hinduism God actually reaches out to humans through (true) Satguru. In American native ways God as (great Spirit) and Grandmother and or Grandfather reach out to humans through all of life that is sacred. Edited June 27 by old3bob 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigSkyDiamond Posted June 27 (edited) 5 hours ago, old3bob said: In (more esoteric) Christianity God actually reaches out to humans through Jesus Christ. In Hinduism God actually reaches out to humans through (true) Satguru. In American native ways God as (great) Grandmother and or Grandfather reach out to humans through all of life that is sacred. in still other traditions, no intermediary is needed. God reaches out to us directly. And we reach out to God directly. Edited June 27 by BigSkyDiamond Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
old3bob Posted June 28 (edited) intermediary processes and teachings have a place and order, (granted such can become corrupted and go awry) but the deeper meaning is they help and have the keys to unlock that which is inside a student for the student, since a true helper has unlocked the same within themselves....without that they too would be bound up somewhere within mind stuff. Edited June 28 by old3bob 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BigSkyDiamond Posted June 28 (edited) 4 hours ago, old3bob said: intermediary processes and teachings have a place and order, (granted such can become corrupted and go awry) but the deeper meaning is they help and have the keys to unlock that which is inside a student for the student, since they have unlocked the same within themselves....without that they too would be bound up somewhere within mind stuff. yes i agree, that makes a good point. and the structure of a defined path (such as religion) offers a built in safety net in terms of ethical behavior (the do's and the don'ts, the commandments, the precepts). These (when they are used, when they are implemented) help identify and avoid the pitfalls which may not be apparent to someone just "on their own doing whatever." Edited June 28 by BigSkyDiamond 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lala Nila Posted 5 hours ago On 2025-04-08 at 2:09 PM, Cadcam said: Suppose, as many do, that God and the devil are real. These beings and their kin interact with humans to guide and mold identity and actions. Do you suppose they would rather that one was aware of this interaction, or oblivious to it? Or maybe god is really the Demiurge- Yaldaboath creator and keeper of the material realm, trapping us here in a prison and feeding off our suffering. In that case not only do they not seem to give a darn if we know or not, but also appear to relish or gain something from suffering. Wait, I think I hear the cries of Sofia now...cough cough is that pneuma or just my cigarette smoke? I don't want to take away from the thoughtful responses above. But the point is there are many version of "god" and the devil, satan, shaytan, shaitan, heck throw hades in the mix, or even Melek Taus. I think I've read that Zoroastrianism had a major influence on the Abrahamic streams, introducing the concept of dualism (good forces battling evil forces) in the doctrines. An idea present in some Satanist sects is that you are a god- or the realization that you are inherently divine (godlike) and should worship yourself (this tends to have some wacky effects on the psyche though). That concept even sounds very similar to Sanatana Dharmism and non-dualism- the recognition that you are one with the divine, there is no separation. The divine essence is already there, you just have to realize it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lairg Posted 4 hours ago 1 hour ago, Lala Nila said: maybe god is really the Demiurge- Yaldaboath creator and keeper of the material realm It seems that Yaldaboath was originally the planetary spirit of Saturn and was bumped into Earth for reasons outside his control. Various feuds resulted that only recently have been largely resolved Share this post Link to post Share on other sites