Guest HariSampath Posted December 7, 2007 Posted December 7, 2007 Do you really ? :D I'll be happy to hear them. Socrates: Wisest is one who knows that he knows nothing I will have to answer on a very serious note, as the questions you have asked are perhaps the most fundamental questions that can ever be asked by any human mind at its highest state of evolvement. To start with a small perspective : You may have heard about the Upanishads ( I am not speaking in a religious context here ). Upanishads are simply a collection of thoughts of the greatest , most profound Truths about , existence, life, creation, universe, man etc. The word ( as you may probably know) means "sitting close by) in sanskrit. Upa means "to sit or to position) and nishad means "near, close by)...this is the closest I can think of. This has 2 meanings in the context of phlosophical enquiry/scientific reasoning. One is that a collection of highly evolved brilliant individuals, powerfully driven with a very high level of intensity on any subject to the exclusion of all other matters, when they discuss, share, research, delve deep, argue, negate, accept etc. What remains in common acceptance will be closest to Truth on the subject. Second meaning is that when such a discussion/research happens, they are constantly sitting close to the answer by virtue of their single minded intensity, and the answer , if anywhere will come to them first in those conditions. Ok..having clarified that, these research/discussions , the results they discovered etc were all passed on through the ear/mouth channels for times immemorial, and no one even knows the names of individuals who were involved at various points in history. Collectively they are known as Upanishads. To specifically answer your question, although there are several Upanishads, one particular one called Isavasya Upanishad with just 18 verses , contains the mysteries of existence as you asked it. One particular verse in Sanskrit answers all questions you asked, and whatever questions that can ever be asked... "Om Poornamadah poornamidam poornaath poornamudachyate. Poornasya poornamaadaaya poornamevaavashishyate’" This means roughly (as you know how difficult it is to transliterate in Sanskrit/English): " That( beyond perception) is Total ( absolute); This( universe) is Total. This ( what we see) has evolved from that Totality which is beyond. Even though this totality we see( universe) has evolved from a Absolute beyond which cannot be seen, what exists is an Absolute Alone"
varun Posted December 7, 2007 Author Posted December 7, 2007 You may have heard about the Upanishads ( I am not speaking in a religious context here ). Upanishads are simply a collection of thoughts of the greatest ' date=' most profound Truths about , existence, life, creation, universe, man etc. The word ( as you may probably know) means "sitting close by) in sanskrit. Upa means "to sit or to position) and nishad means "near, close by)...this is the closest I can think of.[/quote'] Yeah I have some translations lying next to me in fact.. haven't read it in too much detail though. " That( beyond perception) is Total ( absolute); This( universe) is Total. This ( what we see) has evolved from that Totality which is beyond. Even though this totality we see( universe) has evolved from a Absolute beyond which cannot be seen, what exists is an Absolute Alone" Let me try to get this: [perception of universe by me (a)]
Guest HariSampath Posted December 7, 2007 Posted December 7, 2007 Yeah I have some translations lying next to me in fact.. haven't read it in too much detail though. Let me try to get this: [perception of universe by me (a)] <--- (filtered via our 5 senses)---- [beyond perception (b)] So you are saying that (b) is "Total" or "Absolute", or "Absolute Alone". Since you didn't directly answer the questions, let me see if I can hazard guesses to my questions based on the above: Where did the world come from ? The world is an "Absolute" and has always existed ? Who are you ? Just a part of this "Abolute" currently acting as a filtered viewer of the "Absolute" ? What happens when you die ? I cease to have an "I", and become part of this "Absolute" ? Maharishi Varun...please continue that trend... you see, you have to find your answers yourself :D
varun Posted December 7, 2007 Author Posted December 7, 2007 Maharishi Varun...please continue that trend... you see' date=' you have to find your answers yourself :D[/quote'] If you noticed, my answers were in a way questions themselves.. I don't want to find answers really as I don't believe there are any global answers for everyone. I just want to stimulate more questions based on each person's outlook towards life
Guest HariSampath Posted December 7, 2007 Posted December 7, 2007 If you noticed, my answers were in a way questions themselves.. I don't want to find answers really as I don't believe there are any global answers for everyone. I just want to stimulate more questions based on each person's outlook towards life Well....what you call "questions" and "answers" are by themselves relative..every question is nothing but an existing answer ( in some form) that is expressed with an element of uncertainty. There is a Global answer for everyone, and it is the same...just that the questions are different at different points of evolution of the intelligence and mind...an answer can be recognized by that state of mind that has no further questions, nor ignorance anymore.
varun Posted December 7, 2007 Author Posted December 7, 2007 ...an answer can be recognized by that state of mind that has no further questions' date=' nor ignorance anymore.[/quote'] Well a state of mind in which you cease to have consciousness (i.e. death), in which you cease to think (i.e. death).. in which you're no different than the rock you're standing on would lead you to not have any questions too.
vroomfondel Posted December 7, 2007 Posted December 7, 2007 What happens when you wake up ? Don't the same questions apply to the world that you wake up in ? Varun and Lurker, for very eloquent treatments of these existential questions, please take a look at (if you haven't already) Jorge Luis Borges' short stories, especially Ficciones. It is truly mind bending. Thanks for bringing up something that (sadly) I think about a lot -- will pen down something soon.
vroomfondel Posted December 7, 2007 Posted December 7, 2007 Simply speaking, a science that trashes the possibility of the existance of God is contradicting itself. Spinoza: Deus sivi Natura
Lurker Posted December 7, 2007 Posted December 7, 2007 Varun and Lurker, for very eloquent treatments of these existential questions, please take a look at (if you haven't already) Jorge Luis Borges' short stories, especially Ficciones. It is truly mind bending. Thanks for bringing up something that (sadly) I think about a lot -- will pen down something soon. Will check Borges' sometime Vroom. By the by why do you mention "sadly"? Why sad?
Guest dada_rocks Posted December 7, 2007 Posted December 7, 2007 I clicked expecting some solid answer for the age-old existential questions but all I see is muddled-water.. Good luck with explorations guys will come back again to check after 3-4 more pages..:D
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