tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post114441885790406789..comments2024-03-28T20:04:20.286-07:00Comments on One Cʘsmos: Friendly Nonlocal Operators Standing By, Ready to Assist You (4.18.10)Gagdad Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144516929126713452006-04-08T10:22:00.000-07:002006-04-08T10:22:00.000-07:00Bob,This morning I was reading the Autobibliograph...Bob,<BR/><BR/>This morning I was reading the Autobibliography and Self-References from your book, and you mentioned your "competitors". I thought at the time that was a strange word choice, then I see it again in this post. Who exacly is it you consider a competitor?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144507796623764992006-04-08T07:49:00.000-07:002006-04-08T07:49:00.000-07:00Another amazingly worthwhile and entertaining read...Another amazingly worthwhile and entertaining read.<BR/><BR/>I still think you are missing a lot by not looking into Christian Science. The idea that we are actually living in a dream (living out a dream) (spiritual beings having a human experience) etc. but that there is a God who is perfect and created us as perfect, and when we can see that true state expressed, instantly changes our human expression to a perfectly normal state, seems to be borne out in fact.<BR/><BR/>I am an electronic designer, very much a hard science type, who always had a strong attraction to the spiritual but who was never attracted to the mainstream protestant practice I grew up in. <BR/><BR/>After years reading about religious beliefs and practicing a meditative technique based mainly on positive visualation, I encountered a medical condition that I couldn't deal with. The silent prayer of a Christian Science employee healed me within 24 hours. Since then I have handled several broken bones in a foot and innumerable other physical issues through nothing more than "Prayer from the proper basis".<BR/><BR/>It really works, and the fact that it truly overcomes the apparent laws of physics says everything about our world, that it is totally a world created by our own beliefs. There is no other place than our current state of consciousness, and heaven and hell are merely states of consciousness. The trick is to find and maintain the state of God consciousness, "that mind that was also in Christ Jesus" Phillipians 2:5.<BR/><BR/>It seems to be the best kept secret of the age.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144499856942105972006-04-08T05:37:00.000-07:002006-04-08T05:37:00.000-07:00Good one, Dilys!Will, you said:"I have my doubts a...Good one, Dilys!<BR/><BR/>Will, you said:<BR/>"I have my doubts as to whether the original author(s) of the text believed in the literalness of this gospel. Like the other gnostic gospels, it's making a certain point about gnosis itself, the idea of martyrdom, etc. However, as was discussed here before, many of the gnostic texts were then and have since been grotesquely misinterpreted. The timing of this Judas gospel news then, is, I think, suspect."<BR/><BR/>Could you unpack this a little, please? Grotesquely misinterpreted how and by whom? And for what purpose? Those of us who are coming at this from a very different angle would be interested in your pov. It would seem that "believing in the literalness of the gospel" is kind of the point, for gospel writers. If not, then why present it as one?<BR/><BR/>Dan - welcome, and glad your daughter's better! Buying Bob's book today, for myself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144483022669183992006-04-08T00:57:00.000-07:002006-04-08T00:57:00.000-07:00excellent article jwm...thank you for sharing that...excellent article jwm...thank you for sharing that!<BR/><BR/>Dan...ummm, NO we are not rewriting the bible...just discussing what they call the judas gospel which they recently decided to restore and present to the public. In fact Dan, just wait, the lefties will start comparing it to the Bush/libby situation ...just give it time, so they will embrace it if only for that!<BR/><BR/>I personally am not moved by the finding since it changes nothing in my own faith.LiquidLifeHackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949269503629475002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144469736579467772006-04-07T21:15:00.000-07:002006-04-07T21:15:00.000-07:00Here's a good article on the gospel of Judas, by a...Here's a good article on the gospel of Judas, by a fellow named Mark Daniels. I got the link from Hugh Hewitt's site.<BR/><BR/>http://markdaniels.blogspot.com/2006/04/what-about-gospel-of-judas-first-brief.html<BR/><BR/>JWMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144459998262936032006-04-07T18:33:00.000-07:002006-04-07T18:33:00.000-07:00No, no, no, it's not permission to betray. It's ju...No, no, no, it's not permission to betray. It's just a look at EVERYTHING from a different angle -- what if? All our lives we are taught to look at Judas one way, but he had a side in this, a side we've never been clear about. Let us give this thing time and maybe we can learn something about another possibility. Eh, Bob?Mary Loishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01515655542270431289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144449315000233482006-04-07T15:35:00.000-07:002006-04-07T15:35:00.000-07:00"I don't believe you. You're a Liar!"Anyway, I'm s..."I don't believe you. You're a <I>Liar</I>!"<BR/><BR/>Anyway, I'm sure this Judas thing can be interpreted many ways, and I'm not schooled or qualified to offer serious speculation on it's deep implications.<BR/><BR/>But, on the surface, the new Judas spin makes him sound like a perfect role model for today's lefties: It is heroic to betray the civilization and values that have fed, clothed, educated and protected you, because it's downfall will bring about world peace and/or (fill in the blank with your pet fantasy...).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144445080730624702006-04-07T14:24:00.000-07:002006-04-07T14:24:00.000-07:00You know, I have strong doubts too Will and I'll t...You know, I have strong doubts too Will and I'll tell you why, even before I get the chance to read this new finding which I don't think they even know "who" the author is but anyway for whoever is interested...<BR/><BR/>Galatians 1:6-9 teaches us this...<BR/><BR/>6I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!<BR/><BR/>Paul taught us to be skeptical of any 'other Jesus' or any "a different spirit" or 'different gospel' so that we wouldn't be decieved.<BR/>------------------<BR/><BR/>We must also remember what was being taught in 2 Corinthians 11<BR/><BR/>3But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. 5But I do not think I am in the least inferior to those "super-apostles." 6I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge. We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.LiquidLifeHackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949269503629475002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144442750048823452006-04-07T13:45:00.000-07:002006-04-07T13:45:00.000-07:00Lisa, is sort of interesting that the Argentine wr...Lisa, is sort of interesting that the Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges wrote a short story about 40 years ago with this exact Judas theme: Judas being the greatest of the disciples, by way of martyring himself and his reputation for several millenia in order to help Christ fulfill His role as crucified Savior. <BR/><BR/>I have my doubts as to whether the original author(s) of the text believed in the literalness of this gospel. Like the other gnostic gospels, it's making a certain point about gnosis itself, the idea of martyrdom, etc. However, as was discussed here before, many of the gnostic texts were then and have since been grotesquely misinterpreted. The timing of this Judas gospel news then, is, I think, suspect. <BR/><BR/>You do know that the Wed episodes of South Park repeat on Sat and Sun?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144441704799808952006-04-07T13:28:00.000-07:002006-04-07T13:28:00.000-07:00Lisa, I haven't actually seen all the facts on the...Lisa, I haven't actually seen all the facts on the new finding, I don't know for sure how much of the actual text will be available to the public, but for me, this new 'gospel' will have no bearing at all on my faith. We have no idea what the motive of the author was when this work was done, and without reading it all and knowing what it contains as of yet, I will have to hold off on my judgement. Will be interesting to see if this author even mentions Judas's suicide at all. But like I said, it was tossed as being heretic a long time ago and I think the time they have stamped on it and a little earlier was all the arugment about the gnostic stuff, so the date will be important too and maybe once we read it for ourselves, we will see why. I mean even a leader today could publish a book and keep it hidden for years for whoever found it later and it could be a total rewriting of the actual truth, because we have seen this happen in art too, where forgeries have slipped through. The thing I do pray for though is that it isn't used like Dan Brown used the other gnostics to try to discredit Christianity by creating theories. I mean there are true historians that keep the facts and then there are just writers out there with an opinion and some with an agenda. Which one cannot help to ignore that if it is heretic crap who would be behind using it for their own evil? Who would come along and use anything to twist the truth? Who would glorify and make a hero out of betrayal?<BR/><BR/>Some good may come from this though, maybe it can be used to open up more conversations between Jews and Christians.<BR/><BR/>Islam will embrace it full stop because many of them actually go so far as to say Judas was not only a hero but actually took Christ place on the cross! <BR/><BR/>BTW Dilys...thanks for your great links! Must appreciated!LiquidLifeHackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01949269503629475002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144434044792597282006-04-07T11:20:00.000-07:002006-04-07T11:20:00.000-07:00Oh my, PT is having a seizure right now! She'll b...Oh my, PT is having a seizure right now! She'll be okay, though, it's quite common in small dogs. :0(Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04969685296436358865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144433909458888222006-04-07T11:18:00.000-07:002006-04-07T11:18:00.000-07:00Does anyone else feel that it was crucial for the ...Does anyone else feel that it was crucial for the Gospel of Judas to be revealed at this moment because it is parallel to God asking us to speak out against the true nature of Islam. The Left still doesn't want to hear it and is in a huge state of denial and has to vilify the Right (I use these terms loosely) as evil and Hitler-like. Things are really becoming "biblical" in today's reality....or at least I am just seeing it that way.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04969685296436358865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144433053714747502006-04-07T11:04:00.000-07:002006-04-07T11:04:00.000-07:00Reality can be a bitch sometimes!LOL! I missed the...Reality can be a bitch sometimes!<BR/><BR/>LOL! I missed the South Park last night that says Islam is the biggest bitch in the world! Bummer, will have to look for it in re-runs...Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04969685296436358865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144432645398170832006-04-07T10:57:00.000-07:002006-04-07T10:57:00.000-07:00Lisa--What you are saying is true. It is one of t...Lisa--<BR/><BR/>What you are saying is true. It is one of the bases of yoga. Deep breathing and a dignified, elongated posture go hand in hand with maintaning the proper bearing for spiritual receptivity. Animals possess this grace automatically. Only humans can have a soul that is unfit for the body. In reality, the body should be more ashamed of the average soul than vice versa.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144432335393283572006-04-07T10:52:00.000-07:002006-04-07T10:52:00.000-07:00Has anyone else seen the news about the Gospel Of ...Has anyone else seen the news about the Gospel Of Judas being authenticated?<BR/><A HREF="http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20060407/ts_usatoday/longlostgospelofjudasrecaststraitor" REL="nofollow">Here it is</A><BR/>I am not well-versed on Chrisitianity and the theological implications that will arise from this discovery. Any opinions?Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04969685296436358865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144431963974960672006-04-07T10:46:00.000-07:002006-04-07T10:46:00.000-07:00"Now, one of the things you must cultivate in your..."Now, one of the things you must cultivate in your spiritual practice is the ability to sense this "spiritual gravity." Just as your body has proprioceptors that help to orient you in physical space, we also possess spiritual receptors that help to orient us in vertical space. <BR/><BR/>If you develop an inner ear problem, you will become dizzy and disoriented in space. Likewise, if you have an inner eye problem, you won't be able to sense spiritual attractors and to make your way about the vertical. "<BR/><BR/>Are you referring to what some call the Third Eye? It seems once it starts to open and orientate itself in your body, it becomes very hard to close again. Which is a good thing, but difficult to explain to friends & family. I think that is why many of us feel compelled to share our thoughts in this forum.<BR/><BR/>At my training this past weekend,one teacher/student suggested imagining a string attached to either your heart or chest and another attached to the crown of the head/kether (is that also another name for 3rd eye?) gently pulling you forward and up as you walk and stand. I also like to imagine my spine elongating in space with each step I take. There seems to be a correlation between verticality in the horizontal world and receptiveness to verticality in the vertical world. It's almost as if proper physical body alignment allows easier vertical access because organs and fascia have space to breathe and the spirit can come to the forefront. It does not have to worry about bodily dis-ease as much and can focus on the vertical.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04969685296436358865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144429642361084352006-04-07T10:07:00.000-07:002006-04-07T10:07:00.000-07:00It's about Life, The Universe, and Everything, onl...It's about Life, The Universe, and Everything, only without Zaphod Beeblebrox.<BR/><BR/>And thanks for all the fish!<BR/><BR/>JWMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144426124075246842006-04-07T09:08:00.000-07:002006-04-07T09:08:00.000-07:00My copy of One Cosmos is about 313 pages.My copy of One Cosmos is about 313 pages.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144424299910109402006-04-07T08:38:00.000-07:002006-04-07T08:38:00.000-07:00Funny you should mention that. When people ask me...Funny you should mention that. When people ask me what the book is about--a perfectly reasonable question--I honestly don't know what to say. And that's just to my publisher.<BR/><BR/>I wish I could have recorded and transcribed all the fumbling, improvised answers I've given. I'm sure I've never repeated myself.Gagdad Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144423129641670882006-04-07T08:18:00.000-07:002006-04-07T08:18:00.000-07:00There's an "elevator speech" challenge worth takin...There's an "elevator speech" challenge worth taking up. "Whatcha' readin'?" <BR/><BR/>"Imagine James Joyce and Wilfred Bion having a faith-based food fight at the Eleusinian Mysteries."<BR/><BR/>That'll send 'em packing <EM>stat</EM>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144421846365969482006-04-07T07:57:00.000-07:002006-04-07T07:57:00.000-07:00In fact, I suspect we are hard-wired in this life ...In fact, I suspect we are hard-wired in this life to be hierarchial and dualistic, and if tone-deaf to spiritual attraction/Natural Law (<EM>What we Can't Not Know</EM>, in J. <BR/>Budziszewski's terms, reviewed <A HREF="http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0308/reviews/grondelski.html review" REL="nofollow">here</A> and discussed <A HREF="http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft9806/articles/budziszewski.html" REL="nofollow">here</A>), we will assign "good" and "bad" based either on the pleasure or power principle. Topsy-turvy still has an up and a down, and it will be promulgated and enforced. There is no neutral opting-out, nor <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mt%206:24&version=9" REL="nofollow">serving several</A> masters.<BR/><BR/>Without commenting on the theological depths and ambiguities of the arguments implicit in Bob's "God suffers" explanation, for anyone who cares to pursue it the bedrock Christian apologetic in addressing The problem of pain recently <A HREF="http://merecomments.typepad.com/merecomments/2005/01/hartesolenluse_.html" REL="nofollow">showed up</A> in the wake of the New Year's Tsunami at <EM>Touchstone</EM> Magazine from the magnificent David Hart and others. That makes clear to me that sentimentality on the subject resigns us to ever-more-painful and self-centered loops. <BR/><BR/>This issue is solved not by sympathy nearly so much as by the internal reorganization around Truth, which is the individual opportunity to force the issue. "Feelings," in this realm, are most useful as tuned to the "spiritual attractors," not to absolutize our natural attachments, however inevitable a default that seems. Like Gautama, using loss and misery to investigate this most amazing life of ours. <BR/><BR/>A most provocative assertion in a major Creed is "I look for the life of the world to come," not as pie in the sky, but aligning with that life here and now. <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mt%206:33;&version=9;" REL="nofollow">Seeking first the Kingdom... </A>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1144421336142434642006-04-07T07:48:00.000-07:002006-04-07T07:48:00.000-07:00Bob - I think the Deity of the Old Testament was, ...Bob - <BR/><BR/>I think the Deity of the Old Testament was, to a degree at least, a forceful God, a selecting God, necessarily so in order that the table be set for the eventual manifestation of God in the human race, Christ being the exemplar. <BR/><BR/>We could be in cosmic no-man's land now. The OT Deity no longer exists as the selecting God, and we have as yet to allow Him to manifest through us in the fullest. Meanwhile, Islam wishes to regresse to the OT Deity, but since that Deity no longer exists in that form, islam insists on doing the enforcing/selecting itself.<BR/><BR/>One way of looking at it, anyway. But if true, the cosmic no-man's land is untenable as a permanent state of being, which is why some think that a period of "Tribulation" has been scheduled to force the issue. (would apply both universally and individually)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com