I was posing a question... originally about the duration of 'enlightenment' - my point was that everything must be assumed to be impermanent (temporary) until proved otherwise. I consider that defining enlightenment as permanent has no sound basis. On the other hand, I think it quite reasonable to believe at least some of the various claims of those who claim to have experienced an 'enlightened' state, albeit briefly. As to supernatural powers and perceptions, I don't doubt that supernatural phenomena has occurred within the context of my own existence, many times, however, this does not persuade me that all claims to supernatural phenomena are honest or legitimate.
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "authfriend" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "Premanand Paul Mason" > <premanandpaul@> wrote: > > > > A flying monkey and a shape shifting king of Lanka are quite > > beautiful images to be found in the Ramayana. So too is the idea > > that supernatural weapons might be used in warfare, in the place of > > conventional and crude weaponry, to be found in the Bhagavadgita. > > But in the 21st century we tend to treat such tales as makebelieve. > > If talking animals do not exist, nor astral weapons, then why > > should one choose to accept the descriptions of the powers of > > rishis or maharshis as all factual? > > FWIW, there are segments of the U.S. defense and > intelligence communities that have at times vigorously > pursued "supernatural" (or "paranormal") approaches > to neutralizing the enemy (including "remote viewing"). > The Soviets also had such programs; whether Russia > still does, I'm not sure. Whether the U.S. still does, > I'm also not sure. > > At any rate, are you quite sure that "total awareness" > would not reveal that some of these apparently make- > believe tales are to be understood on something other > than the literal level? > > > > > > > > > > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "authfriend" <jstein@> wrote: > > > > > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, "Premanand Paul Mason" > > > <premanandpaul@> wrote: > > > <snip> > > > > It is of note that rather than offering reasoned argument, you > > resort > > > > to making a personal attack. You make this slight, concerning > > your > > > > perception of my intelligence, but do not offer any cogent > > argument > > > > as to why one ought to believe what is contained in 'Vedic > > > > literature' when, as I pointed out, it is so 'full of ghastly > > wars, > > > > vile punishments for minor crimes, talking animals and wizardry > > too'. > > > > > > Well, he did, actually: > > > > > > <snip> > > > > > The centerpiece of Vedic culture is total awareness -- if you > > > > > seek that, the ugliness you refer to goes away: i.e., stay > > tuned > > > > > for the Sat Yuga. > > > > > > If you don't think this is "cogent," what are your > > > reasons? > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Join modern day disciples reach the disfigured and poor with hope and healing http://us.click.yahoo.com/lMct6A/Vp3LAA/i1hLAA/UlWolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/