The Buddhists say that the the world as we see it is not the world as it actually is- which fits with the evidence from science- for example, there are HOLES in everything, even concrete, but can we see those empty spaces? No. Are they really "empty" ...well, yes, seems so.
And some Buddhists say that at some point- Nirvana- everything is known, but not by some type of consciousness, it's more a state- which I think of as a law of physics- and from what we know about quantum mechanics everything at some point could be existing at the same time- past present future- not in this dimension, but who says there needs to be more than one?
For the Buddhists there is not God, only perfect emptiness- which is not nihilistic emptiness, but the extinguishment of the self, and the existence of one - like one force, running through the universe - Nirvana. I think of Nirvana as the unifying field theory, the basic law of the universe, empty of personal consciousness, whatever that may turn out to be. Since the universe is a series of cause and effect- even if you wanted a God, you would have to say...so what caused God? Because everything has a cause.
So much simpler to ignore God. And just concentrate on being ethical on this planet.
While I suppose worshipping a God is one way to meditate on both the impermanence of life, and on something greater than yourself, by choosing a God you limit yourself to that God and the works about that God. It also might limit your value set to the values espoused by the group that worships that God. And limiting yourself in how compassionate you wish to be is not a way to create the most good in the world (imo).
I think I prefer to be more open than that. I think it may take you to a higher level- but of course, I can't be sure. But I can tell you that like you I often experience great peace when I contemplate my idea of the universe. I feel great love, in a very general way, toward humanity when I meditate on compassion and empathy. And I feel great hope when I act with compassion and empathy and see the results in the world.
There is no need to explain anything Greg. There is really no need to ASSUME anything, unless you crave something to believe in. Belief is not necessary. You need a certain amount of belief to get up the will to eat and sleep and to contemplate- but you don't need the kind of belief that needs to be right. In my opinion, you can live happily with belief that is skeptical of itself. You can even have fun with that kind of belief.
So there does not need to be one living God. There could merely be an infinite series of causes and events running across the universe- and meditation upon what causes the first cause, while healthy, is not necessarily something that is knowable or needs to be limited by "Godness". Your God is an unnecessary baggage. |
