Re: The Creation of Man
As for everything being the manifestation, I would agree with that. What is, is. However, if you re-read my context, I spoke of a "direct manifestation", and my meaning was that man was not DIRECTLY created by God, or a "direct manifestation". Of course, indirectly, if God did create the little grey men, then, of course, man is certainly a part of his creation. But none of this rhetoric even attempts to prove or disprove God's existence.
Anyway, thanks for your insights.
Z-
Hi Dmitri; First of all, I've purposely tried NOT to define "the Absolute" as you call it. I understand your purpose is to find a basis for everything, but, I'm more inclined to distill "the Absolute" from the sum of it's parts, than vice versa. The reason is obvious. If you start with an absolute "premise", and your premise is wrong, the house falls down, without foundation. If, on the other hand, you try to understand the foundation (or absolute) from the nature of it's parts, you have a better chance of defining the foundation in the end. (MHO).I beg to differ. A lot depends on what definition of the Absolute you hold. If this is the existence, as I may suggest, there is no question at all, and everything is the manifestation.
As for everything being the manifestation, I would agree with that. What is, is. However, if you re-read my context, I spoke of a "direct manifestation", and my meaning was that man was not DIRECTLY created by God, or a "direct manifestation". Of course, indirectly, if God did create the little grey men, then, of course, man is certainly a part of his creation. But none of this rhetoric even attempts to prove or disprove God's existence.
Trying to portray man as just another component of universal matter is certainly contrary to Christian doctrine. Further, "eternity after death" is a manufactured destiny by orthodox Christianity (the post-Constantine era). Gnostic Christians definitely believed in reincarnation, which would be more consistent with "universal energy" principles. As for a purpose, I wouldn't even attempt to go there at this point in my knowledge. "Insufficient data"!! heh....It may also be that we are eternal not only in us, but as is, as all movements of all particles in the Universe are at each given moment. I like the Buddhist concept that nothing comes and nothing goes in the Absolute. Although it may feel a nice expectation to have eternity after the d..th as something better, we may already own it by being here and now. This may not address specifics of our purpose well, but rather be a matter-of-fact description of the world.
Anyway, thanks for your insights.
Z-