--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "endlessrainintoapapercup" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "BillyG." <wgm4u@> wrote: > > > > I was visiting my brother recently viewing some of Nature's > > resplendent beauty in Nevada, and my Harvard Law school graduated, > > atheist brother ask me; "One thing my professors could never tell me > > is why we experience joy and appreciation when we see the beauties of > > nature"? > > > > Well, I thought a moment, and said; "Hey Cyril, I know the answer to > > that question". Well much to his chagrin I delivered this answer, "The > > flower is a reflection (and a clue) as to what is hidden > > underneath..." Well, he was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable > > at this point and ask his wife to shut me up, so I continued. > > > > "..and the reason WE feel joy and appreciation at the sight of beauty > > is, a portion of that beauty is hidden within us as well (as our own > > self) and as such, nature (in this case a flower) functions as a > > reminder, inspiring a memory of our long lost spiritual home within". > > > > Well it was pretty quiet for the rest of the day, some liberal > > atheists don't like to entertain opposing points of view, especially > > if it challenges the whole foundation of their lives.....:-) > > > > > > The question is beautiful, and so is your > answer, but it isn't really the kind of > question that has a particular answer.
Thanks, but I believe otherwise. > Rather it reflects the deep and open- > ended mystery of life. It was a spiritually > reflective question arising from open > mind. Granted, he had an open mind, not knowing there was actually an answer to his question!! > Actually, the way you recounted > it, it wasn't even a question...it was a > statement. Perhaps he didn't seek or > expect an answer at all. With life's deep > mysteries, the question is often enough. Agreed, though I think he meant to imply he had asked the question. I don't think he expected an answer, but was it asking too much for him to allow me to express my inspiration due to the beautiful surroundings we were viewing? > When we make definitive statements > about others, it is often useful to turn > those statements around and apply > them to ourselves. Maybe you are the > one who doesn't like to entertain > opposing points of view which > challenge your philosophical foundations. Maybe but mostly likely not, I love to challenge my beliefs, it gives me an opportunity to test my conclusions....let the chips fall where they may, that is my motto. > One can even see your brother as > the teacher who provided you with > an opportunity to go more deeply, > but that you were not able to accept > what he offered, He never had anything to offer!!! Atheists generally don't, but that is another subject. >and sought the > familiarity and comfort of a rote > answer--albeit a valid and poetic > answer. > > It's a beautiful teaching story that > you have shared...reminding me of > traditional teaching stories. It is very > deep and profoundly thought-full. > Thank you for sharing it. Thanks I enjoyed your comments!!
