gig wrote:

"David" <David@home.org> wrote in message
news:3P4Xd.131029$qB6.97390@tornado.tampabay.rr.com...

gig wrote:

"David" <David@home.org> wrote in message

<BIG SNIP>

I think this would depend on how you define mysticism. I don't
classify it
as so. It's open to all. No secret language or symbols, no alleged
mystical
hierarchy, no magic, per say. I'd classify it more as metaphysics. It
parallels quantum physics in a lot of ways. It's all based in
nonduality,
which is what first got me interested in the subject. I read a book
by Gary
Zukav called the "Seat of the Soul" a long time ago and have just
been
connecting the dots ever since.

Hmmm. I don't know that book. But are you equating mysticism and
spirituality?

I'm sure there's some overlapping there, but ultimately there's the
Truth.
All systems of thought, philosophy, religion and such things are all
just
trying to describe, the best they can, what the Truth is. Some come
closer
than others, but all, at best, are just "fingers pointing at the moon"
so to
speak. The terminology used in different systems of thought can appear
to be
exactly the opposite of another system, yet still be saying the same
thing.
Words will always fall short of expressing the ultimate reality or
truth
though, because as soon as they're written, they're of the past and
the truth
is always in the present moment.

You say that "ultimately there's the Truth" as if this were patently
obvious
and that the only concern is which philosophy best points the way. Have
you
considered that maybe there is no such thing as "Truth" with a capital
"T"?
You are certainly right on to suggest that words can not portray
"ultimate
reality." And your reasoning seems to be that they are stuck in time -
perhaps
becoming reified? Or is it the concept behind the words that becomes
reified?
But what if the concepts themselves themselves are also reifications?
I'd
think that any concept that we might entertain about this "ultimate
reality"
is the product of our mind. Can we know that our mind hasn't already
reified
the concepts, making it impossible to know anything beyond our concepts
(our
thoughts)? I don't know, I'm just running with the idea here.

Trying to connect the dots is good. More people need to try that.

I think everybody does, in there own way, one way or another. We're
all
trying, the best we can, to understand our place in the universe.
Sometimes
we tell ourselves stories that are not true, but temporarily make us
feel
"better". But anything that's not true will eventually be exposed and
fade
away, perhaps replaced by something else just as untrue. But
eventually
though, I believe everyone will "get it" (whatever "it" is). Fear,
conscious
and subconscious, plays a big part in obstructing the view though. As
fear is
removed, we see clearer and our True Selves are revealed.

You are certainly more optimistic about the average human than I am.

Well, eternity's a long time, so I figure eventually everybody will get
their
***** together. :-)

Cheers!

2012 is 7 years away.
If I am right and other Xtian Mystics are right, Erin slipps below the
waves this year.