The mindless cosmos and inherent meaning

Since the so called "enlightenment" many seem to have become accustomed to a mode of thought that sees external reality - our universe - as some sort of mindless backdrop. In itself it has no meaning. We, as human beings, finding ourselves the seekers of meaning, then assume that we simply project our meanings upon an outside world that is essentially meaningless in and of itself.

This assumption has been questioned by many. The alternative to it has been ascertained by those such as Carl Jung. In speaking of Jung's thought another has said:-

(Jung implies) that meaning is not just subjectively projected onto a meaningless external reality but can be an inherent feature discoverable in, or creatively emergent from, the one reality that we also are.

The "that we also are" takes us back to our world's Faith Traditions.

That is all for now.

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JollyRoger · 70-79, M

Ah, Sam: You are trying to save souls that don't understand their uniqueness nor their purpose! I applaud your effort, but trust - trust that in time these souls will, in their time of need for reassurance that their lives were meant for more than just for their own enjoyment, cry out to be saved from the abyss of the nothingness they created for themselves. This cry has been witnessed at many death-bed vigils in the past and one has to wonder if they will suddenly be absolved from their disbelief or just pass on into that nothingness. Too late?

SW-User

@JollyRoger It's more "working out my own salvation in fear and trembling" ( 😀 ) rather than trying to "save souls".

More as Thomas Merton sought to say:-

...In religious terms, this is simply a matter of accepting life, and everything in life as a gift, and clinging to none of it, as far as you are able. You give some of it to others, if you can. Yet one should be able to share things with others without bothering too much about how they like it, either, or how they accept it. Assume they will accept it, if they need it. And if they don't need it, why should they accept it? That is their business. Let me accept what is mine and give them all their share, and go my way.
All life tends to grow like this, in mystery inscaped with paradox and contradiction, yet centered in its very heart, on the divine mercy..........

As I see it now, it can never be too late.

JollyRoger · 70-79, M

@SW-User So, as Merton says, "Let me accept what is mine and give them all their share, and go my way." I definitely accept that for myself. However, it is not for us to judge either and even in stating "... it can never be too late." it is a statement of judgement. I grant mercy (from myself) to those who refuse to believe there is a God and an afterlife, but is a last minute plea a sincere plea or is it only an attempt to thwart damnation? I wonder on that.

SW-User

@JollyRoger "As I see it now".......which you left out.

I will leave you to wonder.

PS. By the way, I am a non-theistic Buddhist.

Just to add, I do not presume a one life scenario, nor a purely linear time-frame. No conclusions. Therefore I can well recognise that any "death bed" repentance can be "insincere" without coming to any further conclusion or judgement that it is "too late". Too late for what?

(In Pure Land Buddhism "sincerity" is the preserve of Amida, not of ourselves)

JollyRoger · 70-79, M

@SW-User Ah... Sam tries to spring the trap! 😁

SW-User

@JollyRoger No, I'm not springing any trap. Simply explaining how I see things.

JollyRoger · 70-79, M

@SW-User You have to see the humor in it, Sam. I'm here for a good time, not a long time so I look at life as a pleasure to be shared with others. If what I say makes sense to them, then they may use that... if not, then they might listen to someone else ..... like you! (compliment).
My joke was that I saw you were trying to get me to make a judgement... I was teasing you about it.

SW-User

@JollyRoger Well, news to me. Truly.

All the best.