Tag: God
“The perennial fibre of truth” – Thomas Carlyle. What is it?
There is something inherently easy, comforting, and natural in reading what Thomas Carlyle has written. Insofar as I reached the point of his writing about “Worship” and the “devotion” that mankind has been familiar with, these words have been outstanding: Worship is transcendent wonder; wonder for which there is now no limit or measure; that…
When attention is sustained, a small change can hold the potential for a major shift
Could it rightly be said that small things can hold the potential for a major shift? It is possible that you already understand the possibilities. It is possible, you have seen by way of observation, or experienced in your life when such a thing happens. A very simple, innocuous-seeming conversation, reading a passage in a…
The experience of engaging with people – how a change in views is a fundamental need and also beneficial?
There isn’t a greater art and more of it needed at this time than of engaging with people. Engaging with people should be considered the end of all philosophy, systems of belief, or even the systems of society. When a person engages in thinking out solutions to issues or attempts to foresee the end of…
To be consumed, yet not be burnt – the gentle illumination
It is that image that has always appealed to me. Yes, it brings back to mind the burning bush, the one Moses saw, and from there, his life changed. This is not about Moses though. This is about the bush. An angel is said to have descended upon the bush, manifesting the Almighty God himself. …
Bipolar disorder – the inner conflicts arising from trying to reconcile the Old and New Testament writings
Bipolar disorder has become the accepted name given to the manifest inner conflicts of disturbed individuals. While there are questions and concerns over the diagnosis of bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness) itself, there are special considerations that arise as a person’s beliefs are considered. The source of those beliefs also invariably comes into question. Aside from…
Admiration is only natural to feel
There is so much worthy of admiration in our world. There always was, but we did not have the chance to know the existence of such places and creatures. And now we are in a time when, if we choose to, we can find an endless supply of examples of Godly and of human creativity. There…
Light over fear
Fear is one of the worst enemies of man. Just from where one learns to fear and be afraid of the unknown is hard to say. It is true, to stay with the unknown produces a sense of dissatisfaction within the human mind. Man wants to know. Once the unknown turns into something known, the…
Does scrolling content on a fixed screen create the mindset of a fleeting existence?
It has now become the habit of billions around the world – young and old – to get an understanding of all things through scrolling content. While the screen remains fixed in place at all times and even disappears from consciousness, unless one looks away, there is a hypnotizing of the mind. Information is flowing…
The conflicts and infighting of humans will end
To look upon the conflicts of mankind is an experience of great dismay. Yes, there are those who have firmly come to the conclusion that to be in a state of perpetual conflict and infighting is human destiny. For we seem to have evolved from the lower state of existence through our struggles, developed into…
Why mentors and teachers are especially needed to counter extremism?
Mentors and teachers are a special gift to human society. These cannot simply be understood to be professions or titles, or some kind of a degree that is earned from an institution. Rather, these are linked to the personal qualities and concerns of the individual. Even more so, it is connected with how a person…
The exclusive focus on physical things will create an imbalance
There has been a noticeable insistence on physical things in recent times. It has been very deliberate, systematic, and evident of great intelligence. Who are its proponents is not the most important thing. One could, of course, examine the sayings of modern, atheist thinkers like Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins. Listening to such intelligent men…
Finding belief in moderateness in the nuclear age
Nuclear technology is not bad in itself. We have understood the sun and the stars, and in a way, have harnessed the same power to a lesser extent. We have controlled fission, and are yet to understand ways to control fusion for peaceful purposes. The insistence on using solar energy to fulfill the requirements for electricity…
Why our predictions must move away from utter doom to continuity?
The idea of terminal decline is pulling the power of prediction like a black hole pulls light into it. This phenomenon is not new. It has happened again and again throughout history. It has also had its reasons. It is sufficient to say that people desire achievement and progress. However, when the price, the sacrifices,…
Can today’s leaders improve our future by making more positive predictions?
Predictions are humanly impossible and are equally common. Yes, as rare as they should be, they, in fact, form a part of everyday speech. Whenever someone says, I will do this and I will do that, we are in a sense indulging in a prediction. It is our certainty about life itself and our ability…
The higher criticism – one that is not directed by objective
It sounds noble, as it is appealing – to practice a higher level of criticism that is not directed by objective. There is hardly an offering of criticism today that is not directed by objective, not subject to some personal interest, not contaminated by some ulterior motive. It might even be opined that it is…
It’s okay to be superstitious right now
Why would anyone knowingly want to be superstitious! There is enough trouble in life without being such. Yes, it is not wrong to reach this conclusion. However, when you look at the lack of reason in human society, it does give one cause for wonder. One wonders specifically in this way: We have today, a…
Curiosity and a spirit of adventure for those who seek answers, not absolute certainty
While it is very desirable to be able to come to a point of certainty, it is not always possible. The rules we set, the goals we pursue, the desires we cherish could be examples of stable reasons for actions. However, these too can change with time. What appeared to be certain yesterday can appear…
Cults of black-and-white thinking – a lesson from Jehovah’s witnesses
Cults – what does the word bring to mind? There are thoughts of blind devotion. There most certainly is the charisma or power of a leader over his followers. Finally, there is the absolute certainty of purpose. Whether one thinks of Jim Jones, Hitler, or the Messiah of Israel, these things are to be found…
How does faith suppress analytical thinking, but also provide comfort?
Faith is a particular aspect of religious thought. It is a confidence in what has not happened yet. There is a confidence in the unseen ability of someone or something to bring about what does not yet exist. Yes, this is how it works. The human mind and heart are capable of having such thoughts…
How does a movie differ from real life? And why does present life seem like a movie?
Art follows life, or does life follow art? This question seems nowhere more relevant than in the case of movies. Movies are the depiction of life. The characters in some cases are so relatable, that people have seen themselves on the movie screen. They learn lessons, find out their own mistakes, and understand more about…
Man-made labels for social convenience and simplification
It is amazing to consider, that a human being would willingly accept a label to define his entire existence. There are many labels in existence. People label themselves based on education, profession, family, country, or religion. With an expanding knowledge, each of those labels proves insufficient and incomprehensive. So, in order to identify oneself, an…
How is hope the basis of a social movement?
So, really, it is not just the changing objectives but hope that is keeping the ideology of a movement in continuation. If there is a hope worthy of maintaining, the social movement will find regenerative power.
Are your beliefs a response to external information?
Beliefs are one of the most fascinating, and some would say, the most significant component of the ideas that a human being holds. It wouldn’t be wrong to say, there is always some emotional connection to any idea that forms a part of the beliefs of any human being. When a wife believes her husband…
What is the individual today, in view of a constantly changing world?
When you close your eyes and shut out the sounds of the outside world, there is a place you can reach with the passage of time. There is a place within you that is worth visiting. Most people have never visited that place. It is much more likely, that even before there has been a…
About sin, the world, and death – questions and wonders partly confined to human imagination
Sin, the world, and death – we wonder of these at some time in our existence – by choice or we are compelled to. In these very words or some other, in one language or another, we are confronted and cannot run away. There is to be found a peculiar coexistence in human thought today,…
Observation – The disobedient angel and humans in Eden: what it says about the Creator?
Just in general terms and even with a number of misconceptions, the story of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden is one of the most popular stories from the Bible. It happens to be right at the start, in the first few chapters of Genesis. That is a prime reason for its popularity.…
Observation – Satan’s absurdity, and Eve’s naivete…and many questions
The claim is often made by individuals with specific objectives and interests that, the Bible is outdated and no longer useful. It is also believed that, there is nothing profound or worth learning from a book that many others consider to be the revealed will of God. It is possible that, the Bible falls short…
Observations – Adam and Eve know they are naked
On a day like any other day before, but never a day like it afterwards, the first man and woman experienced something. From that day forward, woman and man were changed irreversibly. They felt things unknown to their minds prior to that day. They said new things. Adam and Eve said things to the Lord…
Indian government’s demonetization step – the indomitable idea
As human beings, it is very desirable that we adhere to the principles of reason. By adhering to those principles we can have a more peaceful life, and the prospect of better relations with others. At the same time, a realization about living by reason must be admitted: When reason alone becomes the overriding pursuit…
Is the future determined by our beliefs?
Think of belief as a future destination. Yes, there are beliefs of such nature. All beliefs are ideas, and ideas can travel through time.
