| 1. Be Humble: We are only human and have no absolute knowledge. We have a limited brain. Yet we have to assume what we think is real to get on with life. If we assume certain things, life will be better. For example, if we strive for truth, love and kindness we will are a much more awarding and pleasant life. If we are attached to people and things life changes will be difficult. |
2. Intuitive Theories: Many of our theories of things are from our childhood and we have difficulty in accepting scientific explanations of the physical world. We also have theories about philosophy and religion we hold dearly, but are primitive and often harmful. For example, the Bible accepts slavery, does not accept that we are a blend of male and female, asks us to worship a god that sets a poor example (e.g. kills people for no reason and makes people feel guilty for no reason. Our best theories are loving and kind, based on modern science and psychology and this is good. |
3. We Can Only Think One Thing at a Time: Through meditation we can control our mind. It is best to deflect thoughts as it is difficult to turn them off. We can watch our thoughts as wisps of blue smoke and let them drift away. We can chant and free ourselves from the random thoughts of the monkey mind. We can use mindfulness to concentrate on what is truly happening and we Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |
4. The Four Agreements 1. Be impeccable with your word. 2. Don't take anything personally. 3. Don't make assumptions. 4. Always do your best. -Don Miguel Ruiz |
| 5. General Semantics: Words are not things, but pointers to things. Words are like verbal maps. Maps can out of date, speak of things that are not there and omit what is really there. Words need to be defined and given context. For example, the word "God" has a different meaning depending on it is defined. So a question "Do you believe in God?" is not a good question as it assumes that God has only one meaning. We don't eat the words on a menu, or think a picture is real. The word "Allah" means God in Arabic, and in that language even Christians call God "Allah". |
6. Memes: A meme is like a computer virus in that it passes between people unknowingly. Many beliefs especially religious and political are picked up through assuming that someone has the truth. You know if you disagree, everyone would think that you are wrong and out of touch with what "everyone" thinks is real. For example, most people would not feel right wearing two different kinds of shoes even if they are more comfortable as your feet have different sizes. |
7. Everything is not Scientific: Science does not know everything. For instance, science does not know what consciousness is. Pure science assumes that everything is made up of particles, atoms, molecules and so on. Therefore particles, atoms and molecules must have consciousness. There has been no evidence of consciousness in an atom. If we were to follow the laws of quantum physics, everything would be a matter of probability. If we are to use astronomy as our religion, we so small and insignificant that we do not matter. But normal people think life is precious and would never think that it is just ok to kill someone. |
8. Our Brain Simulates the World: A computer simulator can train people to fly an airplane in a safe way. Our brain contains a simulator of reality. All our senses are analyzed and are combined and presented to our awareness. People who do a good job of this avoid the pitfalls of the real world. Also integrated in this simulation is our emotions and thought. This we feel and think about what is going on based on what we sense externally and internally. Since we manufacture reality, we can make mistakes. We can worry about public speaking and think nothing of getting into a car. |
| 9. Continuous Revelation: Most religions will not update their so-called holy books in any substantial manner. The Bible says that if anyone changes the word of God, they shall be put to death. Consider if God made the universe, God would want us to study His creation. The current Bible is so wrong about anything scientific. Just 2000 years out of date. Some ideas are truly funny. The Bible has a crazy idea of why it rains and explains that there is a "firmament" (cisterns) in the sky that holds rain water. It is the ocean of heaven. To make it rain, God just empties part of this ocean and the rain comes down. Much of the psychological advice needs updating. Sex is fun (when not overdone) and not sinful. It is natural and good. So many religious people are filled with guild if they even think about sex. |
10. Brain Circuit Hierarches In talking about how the brain works, we really don't know very much. But we do know it is vastly complex. In a 20 year old man there are about 170 trillion synapses and about 90 trillion synapses in a 90 year old woman (Thai Nguyen, University of South Florida Vol 3 2010 Fall Edition of the Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling). With all these vast number of parts, the brain probably uses organizational methods similar to those in a business where there are policy makers and workers. Thus attention should be paid to how we make policy, what we think is right and wrong. In the long run policy-making produces boundaries for our brain circuits. Otherwise we would keep thinking and go of on tangents. More so, this might be how we stay good, practical and trustworthy. |
11. Eating Well: The human body is many things. It is our physical interface to the world. On one level it is a machine that requires a range of chemicals we call food. Some types of food are better than others. I recommend Nurtrition Action Magazine which discloses their sources such as scientific papers. Instead of eating for pleasure, we need to eat to feel good. We need to eat our vegetables especially those having bright colors. Most people eat too much meat. The daily serving should be about the size of a deck of cards. Eating chicken and turkey is better than red meat. Sugar should be used only sparingly. There are no perfect foods. Each whites, however, are really good for you. If you eat a lot of fun food, you have a greater chance of not feeling well, not having energy and in the long run a short life. |
12. Exercise: The body is the temple of the soul. When we lose health we lose everything. The best way to get high is not drugs, but to become super healthy. In general, twenty minutes of exercise each day, a little love, health checkups with a real doctor, a good diet is the road to having a happy life. |
| 13. What to Do: First here is what not to do: Indulging in street drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. Taking high risks such a driving when tired. Here is what to do: Find your spark. What do you love to do? It might be dancing, writing, teaching or playing sports. Doing good things because you want makes for a good life. |
14. Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |
Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |
Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |
| Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |
Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |
Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |
Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |
| Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |
Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |
Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |
Religion and the World of God It seems that most religions believe in the oldest information possible. |