Very good contribution. And the question is excellent. You are indeed a scholar. The question isn't asked much, but it is one of the most valuable questions you can ask. And probably because it is not asked much, the answer was sketchy until I entered the picture and did some research of my own, so-to-speak. And that involved a remembering process that allowed me to remember what seemed to have happened "in the beginning" of time. Not many are willing to conduct such a remembering process because it has much to do with letting grievances go. I recommend Adi Shankara as the best interpreter of the original Hindu. Pay close attention to the sub-school Advaita Vedanta. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advaita_Vedanta About half way down the above reference page under Ishvara we find: "So Adi Shankara assumes that Creation is a sport of Ishvara." And that's about all that this school of thought offers us. Buddha could not offer much more than this as well, except to say that the false began with a self-imposed state of ignorance. And this does not necessarily disagree with the idea of "sport". The gnostics were also a bit short on this important question, having borrowed from Buddha and Advaita Vedanta. So that you can link up with my interpretations, I recommend associating the term Brahman with the Son of God, and to link Ishvara with Adam. I considered this question very important to one's salvation, as evidenced here in the gospel of Thomas. The remembering process that I recommended 2000 years ago literally brings you to a place in your conscious awareness where you remember very clearly the beginning of time, and your role in the making of this world. This is important, because the problem of the world must end where it begins...and it begins with your judgments and decisions leading into the illusion of existence that is this world. It is important to remember, because it is important to choose again your response to the questions that lead to the making of this world. Choosing again, you are "chosen", and you shall not taste death any longer. You will notice that I describe, in detail, the psychology that leads to the making of this world. And this is because the same psychology runs this world. So then, if you will open your eyes and see the psychology that is running this world, you will gradually remember the beginning of this world for yourself, so that you can make another choice for yourself. What I describe seems unbelievable at first. And this is because the psychology that goes into making this world is really mixed up and rather insane. So it does not make sense. Yet it is important to remember, because it will affect your thinking until you banish the insanity by your will to return to your reality as Brahman, or the Son of God. Jesus
proof is claimed by science, but it is ultimately a subset of religion.... anyone seen "A beautiful Mind"? It's quite possible all of us, including our leading intellects, are leading a similar life of illusion. proof, as man defines it, relies on our fallible senses. so... nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile ...
Indeed. Another simple test, is have someone belt you over the head with a heavy skillet. If it hurts, and you feel pain, confusion, anger, then your possibly conscious or have some conciousness, and probably exist. Next, repeat the process, in front of a mirror; if there's nobody else there, then.....perhaps you dont exist, but if you made it to step number two, your probably too dumb to really deserve to exist, even if step 1 was successful in your favour.
Look up Heidegger. He came up with the famous "What is "is"?". Also, He struggled all his life trying to come with an answer to "Why is there something rather than nothing?".
How do you determine existence? I turn 50 in 2008. I'll be dead in 20, 30 yrs. What do I give a shit? H
there is an even better question; how do you know God, when you see one? In other words; let's say it's judgment day and you have come to stand before God, how do you know for sure that the person you are standing before is 1. God and 2. The Ultimate God?