Reincarnation

Fire Giver

"
"Yes, brain functions are impaired by brain damage just as your ability to drive can be impaired by car damage."

No, your cognitive functions are impaired by brain damage. Of course your brain is damaged by brain damage - thats a tautology. Why not read up on the 100+ year old literature on this subject before you act like you what you're talking about?"

Are you referring to medical (mostly neurological) literature? That's hardly a sufficiently broad literature. Their model will be wholly physical and biological; in other words, unnecessarily narrow and limiting.

If we take a diictionary definition of "cognition" as "that which is known" (Webster) or "the mental process of knowing, including awareness, perception, reasoning, and judgment" (American Heritage), most of these also exist independent of a specific biology.

Consciousness isn't biological. It inhabits the biological, but isn't simply a side-effect of electrochemical processes as medical science sometimes claims.

"
"Consciousness isn't constrained to its temporary organic housing."

By any remotely scientific understanding it is."

By most (but not all) definitions of physical science, you're right. But are you entirely excluding spiritual science (which is the proper domain for studying the phenomenology of consciousness?).

"
"Unless you are defining "cognitive functions" like a neurologist, your claim is easily dismissed by anyone with any extensive actual spiritual experience."

I have 'actual' spiritual experience"

There isn't any evidence of it in any of your posts that I've seen. I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt (your universe, your reality and so forth), but this would require less faith if there were actually some objective hint that your eyelids open past the perimeter of your own ego and intellect.

Frater Pramudita

I guess I'm fully not understanding why you're posting such a strong argument against the conceopt of reincarnation according to the Tibetan Book of the Dead, or the Bardo system. Especially since this "is" a Thelema message board, and reincarnation "is" a Thelemic belief.

Steven Cranmer

@h3fall3n777 said

"Especially since this "is" a Thelema message board, and reincarnation "is" a Thelemic belief."

I wouldn't go that far. It's probably true that the majority of Thelemites believe in it, but the majority of Wiccans probably believe in it, too...

There was another thread with the same name here, with a variety of other Thelemic points of view on reincarnation...

Steve

Michael Staley

@Steven Cranmer said

"I wouldn't go that far. It's probably true that the majority of Thelemites believe in it, but the majority of Wiccans probably believe in it, too... "

I'd agree with that, Steve. However, it remains surprising that Aum418 was pursuing such a reductionist line of argument given his interest in Thelema and Eastern Mysticism.

Best wishes,

Michael.

Steven Cranmer

@Michael Staley said

"However, it remains surprising that Aum418 was pursuing such a reductionist line of argument given his interest in Thelema and Eastern Mysticism."

I suppose I'm with Aum418 (and maybe gurugeorge... and even Erwin Hessle, to an extent) on this, in that I share much of that ultimate reductionism. I continue to hope there's a place in the "big tent" of Thelema for those who are enchanted by the beauty and truth of the Holy Books, and who want to explore aspects of the path of self-discovery outlined by the A.'.A.'., while not really getting into the more... um... paranormal aspects?

Note that I said "ultimate" reductionism above -- it's an important caveat. Many atheistic rationalists hold to a much stronger and starker form of reductionism than I do and thus throw the baby out with the bathwater. We know that it's possible to build multiple layers of complexity on top of the simplest kinds of bottom layers (like, say, a world made up of things like protons and electrons that obey well-understood physical laws). If you build on enough layers, things aren't so nicely predictable any more, and things like consciousness become possible. Build on a few more layers (like modern technology?), and who knows what else becomes possible? See Douglas Hofstadter's classic Godel-Escher-Bach, for much more about this...

Getting back to reincarnation (and similar things like natal astrology): Although I don't hold the literal beliefs that many here do, I do think that these things can be sublimely useful symbols and metaphors. I said more about this in the 2nd post of that other reincarnation thread.

Steve

Aum418

@Michael Staley said

"
@Steven Cranmer said
"I wouldn't go that far. It's probably true that the majority of Thelemites believe in it, but the majority of Wiccans probably believe in it, too... "

I'd agree with that, Steve. However, it remains surprising that Aum418 was pursuing such a reductionist line of argument given his interest in Thelema and Eastern Mysticism.

Best wishes,

Michael."

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. " - Aristotle

IAO131

Michael Staley

@Aum418 said

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. " - Aristotle
IAO131"

Thanks for that, Aum418, though I'm not sure the quote from Aristotle is applicable in this instance.

I wonder if in future you might indicate posts where you are adopting a stance purely as a debating exercise. Then I'll know not to waste my time responding to them.

Best wishes always,

Michael.

Modest

That's why I try not to over discuss things. Sophistry is not my cup of tea. I just say - do your yoga.
The Tibetan Book of the Dead is a good read.

Frater SOL

@Modes said

"That's why I try not to over discuss things."

"talk not over much!" - CCXX III:42

616

Aum418

@Michael Staley said

"
@Aum418 said
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. " - Aristotle
IAO131"

Thanks for that, Aum418, though I'm not sure the quote from Aristotle is applicable in this instance.

I wonder if in future you might indicate posts where you are adopting a stance purely as a debating exercise. Then I'll know not to waste my time responding to them.

Best wishes always,

Michael."

My point was that I can have an interest in Eastern Mysticism without adopting all of its tenets.

Do you intentionally approach all your posts to me as a passive aggressive bore?

IAO131

Michael Staley

@Steven Cranmer said

"I suppose I'm with Aum418 (and maybe gurugeorge... and even Erwin Hessle, to an extent) on this, in that I share much of that ultimate reductionism. I continue to hope there's a place in the "big tent" of Thelema for those who are enchanted by the beauty and truth of the Holy Books, and who want to explore aspects of the path of self-discovery outlined by the A.'.A.'., while not really getting into the more... um... paranormal aspects?"

Yes, there certainly is a place in the "big tent" for Thelemites of all shapes, sizes, and diversities of interests. Rationalism is indispensible in daily living; however, magical and mystical experience reaches beyond the rational. That doesn't mean that one has to accept things indiscriminately; it does mean, though, that one doesn't discard experience on the grounds that it is not rational. It's not an either/or situation; both logic and intuition are necessary to me.

Best wishes,

Michael.

Frater Pramudita

If we imagine the world as an ocean, we are like the ripples on the ocean. Formations like ripples and waves occur, because of wind, tides, and other kinetic forces. In the Buddhist analogy, the universe is in motion due to karmic forces. A ripple, a wave, or a billow may seem as an individual entity for a moment, creating the illusion that it has a self, but it is gone in the next moment. The truth is that all individuals are one. A ripple is a temporary phenomenon; it is just water in motion. We know that kinetic energy causes wave forms on a body of water and it would be ridiculous to say that a single ripple or wave has a self.

Similarly, in case of beings, the process of coming into life and being conditioned in a particular way is caused by karmic forces. The up and down of the ocean's waves corresponds with the rotation of the wheel of life. The sea that surges, falls, and resurges, is the life that is born, dies, and is reborn again. It is therefore obvious that we should not focus on the temporary phenomenon of the wave, but on the force that causes, forms, and drives it. Nothing else is said, although in more practical terms, in the Eightfold Path.

Fr. T.E.U.

First and foremost, let me just say this to the OP: you are an sterling example of bravery, for it takes a certain amount of bravery to offer up to criticism ones most closely held beliefs; kudos.

That said, I shall now play "the devil's advocate" and argue against Aum418 in support of the OP.

Aum418: We meet again...and what - is this scene not a familiar one? In short, we have argued about this before have we not? Was I so unable to convince you of just how the position you are holding is somewhat reminiscent of "magickal thinking"; that a cause "seemingly" corresponds to b event?

Consider: if the brain is damaged, does it necessarily follow that consciousness is so damaged? So far, it seemed you'd argue "yes". Thus, I ask: how? The brain is not, itself, consciousness nor have we anyway, thus far, to make consciousness an object of study; ie: the brain is a material object, while consciousness is ever a subject - objective/subjective. Where is consciousness, then, in/of the brain? You argue quite stauchly that it is so: where, Aum418? Which atom(s), molecule(s), sub-atomic particle(s), cell(s), tissue(s), radiation(s), activity(ies), ...ad infinitum? And what - pray tell - shall be your proof besides a lop-sided causal correspondence? Just because the brain is damaged, it does not necessarily follow that consciousness is as well. The above notion of a wrecked car is actually quite fitting.

On the point of death then, one might reflect upon the notions of existence/non-existence and the logical absurditites which abound when we take the view - as most do - that the states of existence/non-existence (ie: annihilation) "co-exist"! What sort of madness is that...and we call it reason?! The self is not ever "annihilated" - that which exsists always exists; it cannot do or be otherwise. ...Though it is not ever "annihilated", it most certainly does - as motion necessitates - change or transform. As most occult/esoteric groups teach: death is no end - is nothing to be feared. Thus, I wonder: what is so difficult about that? What is more "magickal" - seeing an inert body and concluding - from that alone - that the individual is likely "gone" even if the rest of the universe doesn't seem to work that way, or seeing an inert body and concluding that they are likely in the process of changing or transforming from/of one state to another, given that's how the rest of the universe seems to work?

...Of course, I do realize I've hardly touched upon reincarnation as of yet. Nevertheless, perchance it is best if we can take this sort of debate one step at a time.

Thanks for your time,

QaZsE - Fr. T.E.U.

Ankhenaton

Crowley believed that he was the reincarnation of Ankh-af-na-khonsu, the Egyptian priest who appears in Liber L (I:14, 36; III:37, 38). He also identified with Eliphas Levi (but I don't have any citings that might help in that regard).

Perhaps the spiritual world is like a 'Pyramid Scheme.' I wonder how many of you are old enough to remember the "Seth Speaks" books, channelled by Jayne Roberts during the late '70's? * 'Seth,'* through Roberts, suggested that all lives were lived at once, in the eternal now. Over our incarnate selves we have a sort of 'supervising Self,' the second-ordefr Self that is aware of all our incarnations (this might be seen as our HGA). Over that *'supervising Self' *was another Self, which administered the Selves of several of these 'supervisors.' And on up the ladder we go until we finally reach the **Ultimate Self **-- G/god, or whatever one wishes to call her/him. This Ultimate Self is over All incarnations through the intermediaries which are all parts of herself/himself, as well.

I don't know how reincarnation works. I only know that it explains a lot of experiences I've had; and it explains a lot of material written on the subject of 'life after death.'

But, I'm always open to new ideas, provided they are well-presented.

With much Peace,

Fr. T.E.U.

Hmm...

Interesting - a "pyramid scheme"; in truth, I hadn't really thought of it like that per se but I can most certainly see how it adds something to the conversation. I had only ever read one of the "Seth Speaks" books way back when and - as you mention it - I most certainly do recall this "pyramid scheme" explanation. ...What particularily surprises me just now is how, for the past while, I had been puzzling over the rather paradoxical notions of:

The individual material of the monad
The collective consciousness of the cosmos

The "point in the circle".

Now, I have been meditating upon this symbol for some time now...and learned alot of things by it but this "pyramid scheme" might be the answer to the dilemma of the indivual vs. the collective monads/selves making up a cosmos; the "seeming" inconsistency, as it were. Thanks.

Thanks for your time,

QaZsE -Fr. T.E.U.

Persephone

@Neshamah246 said

"Crowley believed that he was the reincarnation of Ankh-af-na-khonsu, the Egyptian priest who appears in Liber L (I:14, 36; III:37, 38). He also identified with Eliphas Levi (but I don't have any citings that might help in that regard).

Perhaps the spiritual world is like a 'Pyramid Scheme.' I wonder how many of you are old enough to remember the "Seth Speaks" books, channelled by Jayne Roberts during the late '70's? * 'Seth,'* through Roberts, suggested that all lives were lived at once, in the eternal now. Over our incarnate selves we have a sort of 'supervising Self,' the second-ordefr Self that is aware of all our incarnations (this might be seen as our HGA). Over that *'supervising Self' *was another Self, which administered the Selves of several of these 'supervisors.' And on up the ladder we go until we finally reach the **Ultimate Self **-- G/god, or whatever one wishes to call her/him. This Ultimate Self is over All incarnations through the intermediaries which are all parts of herself/himself, as well.

I don't know how reincarnation works. I only know that it explains a lot of experiences I've had; and it explains a lot of material written on the subject of 'life after death.'

But, I'm always open to new ideas, provided they are well-presented.

With much Peace,"

Neshama; I vaguely remember the Seth books, Am familiar with a couple of them. Last year I read that some in the field of quantum physics are putting forth the idea of parallel universes, or parallel timelines. I forget where I saw that. This seems to fit with a theory of living multiple lives at the same time. If this were true, it would probably be easier for us to think of them as happening sequentially in time as we know it.
In any case, reincarnation works for me also, in explaining many experiences.

Fr. T.E.U.

Hmm...

Might I propose a second possible explanation for the notion of the "eternal now", besides turning to the oft misunderstood quantum mechanics? Consider: the "eternal now" - as I have understood it - might mean the merging of present/past in memory; ie: that which has happened is recorded by the conscious aspect of the cosmos and can then be viewed as (technically) "still happening". In short: is there really any need to postulate a nigh infinite amount of time streams/universes? What say you?

Thanks for your time,

QaZsE - Fr. T.E.U.

Persephone

@Fr. T.E.U. said

"Hmm...

Might I propose a second possible explanation for the notion of the "eternal now", besides turning to the oft misunderstood quantum mechanics? Consider: the "eternal now" - as I have understood it - might mean the merging of present/past in memory; ie: that which has happened is recorded by the conscious aspect of the cosmos and can then be viewed as (technically) "still happening". In short: is there really any need to postulate a nigh infinite amount of time streams/universes? What say you?

Thanks for your time,

QaZsE - Fr. T.E.U."

Fr. T.E.U.; Sure, anything is possible and one theory is as valid as another. Could that be something like The Akashic Records?

Fr. T.E.U.

...Before I forget my argument, I'd like to propose a counter-argument to the comment above concerning complexity and the growth of consciousness. ...Infact, this is an older and well-used counter-argument of mine.

Consider: when most people talk about atoms, molecules, chemicals, sub-atomic particles, quarks, mesons, bosons - ad infinitum - they are talking about a matter that is postulated to be:

Not aware
Incapable of becoming aware

Ie: a rock, to most people, is just such "inert" matter. Fine - let's roll with this idea for moment and see where that leads us? So we have unliving/unaware quarks, sub-atomic particles (protons, neutrons, neutrinos, electrons...), atoms, molecules...rocks, dirt, metals...

Hmm...what about single-celled organisms such as ameobas and various bacterias? Are they not simply slightly more complex aggregates of the same matters above? So, let us include them. Hmm...what about eukaryotic cells? Surely we can all observe the fact that they, too, are simply slightly more complex aggregates of the same matters as above. Thus, shall we also include tissues, organs, and the more complex organisms such plants, animals, and humans? By the reasoning thus far, we can and must!

Now, let us return to the crux of the issue; the essential "leap of faith" exhibited by this reasoning as we consider rocks, dirt, and metals by comparison with single-celled organisms. Let us wonder: just "how" is it that we have very little trouble in seeing, say, an ameoba as being aware while not recognizing that it is made of all the same matters as the rocks, dirt, and metals which we have no problem in denying awareness? Is this not completely irrational; is this not a perfect example of "magickal thinking"? How shall complexity ever be able to do that which - supposedly - cannot be done?

Consider the following absurdity: by the "reasoning" above, I should be able to take a unawares matters, arrange it in some way, shape, or form...and, suddenly, it shall exhibit the qualities we already declared are impossible of it! How?!

Thus, we can safely conclude: one or more of the commonly held postulates mentioned above are wrong; either A). awareness is a potential of all matter and/or B) awareness is already realized (to varying degrees) in/of all matter.

EDIT: In short, I mean to say that consciousness, like matter, cannot be simplified or made an emergent property; it is the great subjective aspect of reality just as matter is the great objective aspect - think: the Father Mother and Child.

Now, which position is more the "leap of faith"?

Thanks for your time,

QaZsE - Fr. T.E.U.

Persephone

@Fr. T.E.U. said

"...Before I forget my argument, I'd like to propose a counter-argument to the comment above concerning complexity and the growth of consciousness. ...Infact, this is an older and well-used counter-argument of mine.
...
Thus, we can safely conclude: one or more of the commonly held postulates mentioned above are wrong; either A). awareness is a potential of all matter and/or B) awareness is already realized (to varying degrees) in/of all matter

Now, which position is more the "leap of faith"?
"

I apologize, I didn't know you were a materialist since you talked about a conscious universe. You have my condolences, you don't know what you're missing.
Your logic leaves out numerous other possibilities.
A and B are both basically the same thing, said different ways and there's no point quibbling about shades of meaning.
As others have mentioned, it really is surprising that so many non-spiritual people are drawn to a magick forum. But really, why bother debating this, since you have already made up your mind?