Freethought & Rationalism Archive

ManM · 07-09-2002, 05:31 AM

HelenSL,
Well, the book I linked to is very dense, so I don't think I'll be able to do it proper justice. The bottom line is that it discusses the healing of the nous (nous is Greek for 'eye of the soul') through Christianity. Spiritual health is acheived by struggling against the passions and fighting to attain the likeness of God and union with Him. The primary method for doing this is called 'hesychia', or stillness. It is the practice of using your heart to monitor and judge your thoughts. Again, it would take me writing a book to explain the subject, so if you have the time I would suggest you pick through my link.

HelenM · 07-09-2002, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ManM:
HelenSL,
Well, the book I linked to is very dense, so I don't think I'll be able to do it proper justice. The bottom line is that it discusses the healing of the nous (nous is Greek for 'eye of the soul') through Christianity. Spiritual health is acheived by struggling against the passions and fighting to attain the likeness of God and union with Him. The primary method for doing this is called 'hesychia', or stillness. It is the practice of using your heart to monitor and judge your thoughts. Again, it would take me writing a book to explain the subject, so if you have the time I would suggest you pick through my link.

It doesn't sound like it would be very helpful actually, since I find I am worst off when I am alone (humanly speaking). My thoughts by myself can be rather negative and unhelpful.

So further introspection seems unlikely to be of benefit.

Still, if I have time I'll try to at least look through it.

Thanks for the suggestion

love
Helen

ManM · 07-09-2002, 08:57 AM

HelenSL,
The idea is to become free of your thoughts so that they can no longer harm you. If they are negative and unhelpful you should discard them. If you cannot discard them then at least you will see what thoughts cause you harm and can focus on something else.

HelenM · 07-09-2002, 09:42 AM

Well, I might believe in some of that in a way.

It depends...

Cognitive therapy (restructuring one's thought life to be more constructive - I see that as somewhat akin to what you said) sounds great until one discovers some emotions standing inconveniently in the way of its easy implementation.

love
Helen

Krieger · 07-09-2002, 10:47 AM

If anything, Christianity causes depression. I was in a Xian private school for 13 years (K-12) and most of the time I was never happy, towards the end I was very depressed. Now that I'm out, everything is wonderful.

ManM · 07-09-2002, 10:49 AM

HelenSL,
Maybe the silent struggle with yourself is the arena where God becomes known.

Panta Pei · 07-09-2002, 03:24 PM

"Maybe the silent struggle with yourself is the arena where God becomes known."

Very Krishnamurti/Rumi there, ManM, however HelenSL is a staunch christian and would probably be more comfortable using the symbols of that mythic system to attain that type of a more mystical enlightenment.

A St. Francis/Meister Eckhart rather than, say, an Alan Watts/Thich Nhat Han, if you will.

Of course, I make this assessment from our relatively few exchanges so I may be incorrect.

Still, meditating on the absolute consciousness of OM, is sufficiently atheistic for me.

Mageth · 07-09-2002, 04:08 PM

Very Krishnamurti/Rumi there

Within me is an ocean
where a thousand Rumis drown
with all their sorrows

HelenM · 07-09-2002, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ManM:
HelenSL,
Maybe the silent struggle with yourself is the arena where God becomes known.

Maybe so

love
Helen

HelenM · 07-09-2002, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Panta Pei:
HelenSL is a staunch christian and would probably be more comfortable using the symbols of that mythic system to attain that type of a more mystical enlightenment.

Actually I read quite widely (compared to other conservative Christians

) and appreciate a variety of symbolism

But I have to be careful about mysticism since I realized how far I can take it. Before I know it I've gone from a little mysticism to, well - never mind

I try to be open to what helps. Without being open to what doesn't.

I'm not sure I'm there yet

. Maybe I never will be!

love
Helen

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07-09-2002, 05:31 AM	#71
ManM Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: NW Florida, USA Posts: 1,279	HelenSL, Well, the book I linked to is very dense, so I don't think I'll be able to do it proper justice. The bottom line is that it discusses the healing of the nous (nous is Greek for 'eye of the soul') through Christianity. Spiritual health is acheived by struggling against the passions and fighting to attain the likeness of God and union with Him. The primary method for doing this is called 'hesychia', or stillness. It is the practice of using your heart to monitor and judge your thoughts. Again, it would take me writing a book to explain the subject, so if you have the time I would suggest you pick through my link.

07-09-2002, 08:57 AM	#73
ManM Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: NW Florida, USA Posts: 1,279	HelenSL, The idea is to become free of your thoughts so that they can no longer harm you. If they are negative and unhelpful you should discard them. If you cannot discard them then at least you will see what thoughts cause you harm and can focus on something else.

07-09-2002, 09:42 AM	#74
HelenM Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Ill Posts: 6,577	Well, I might believe in some of that in a way. It depends... Cognitive therapy (restructuring one's thought life to be more constructive - I see that as somewhat akin to what you said) sounds great until one discovers some emotions standing inconveniently in the way of its easy implementation. love Helen

07-09-2002, 10:47 AM	#75
Krieger Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: ... Posts: 2,191	If anything, Christianity causes depression. I was in a Xian private school for 13 years (K-12) and most of the time I was never happy, towards the end I was very depressed. Now that I'm out, everything is wonderful.

07-09-2002, 10:49 AM	#76
ManM Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: NW Florida, USA Posts: 1,279	HelenSL, Maybe the silent struggle with yourself is the arena where God becomes known.

07-09-2002, 03:24 PM	#77
Panta Pei Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: in the middle of things Posts: 722	"Maybe the silent struggle with yourself is the arena where God becomes known." Very Krishnamurti/Rumi there, ManM, however HelenSL is a staunch christian and would probably be more comfortable using the symbols of that mythic system to attain that type of a more mystical enlightenment. A St. Francis/Meister Eckhart rather than, say, an Alan Watts/Thich Nhat Han, if you will. Of course, I make this assessment from our relatively few exchanges so I may be incorrect. Still, meditating on the absolute consciousness of OM, is sufficiently atheistic for me.

07-09-2002, 04:08 PM	#78
Mageth Contributor Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Deep in the heart of mother-lovin' Texas Posts: 29,689	Very Krishnamurti/Rumi there Within me is an ocean where a thousand Rumis drown with all their sorrows

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