« Death and the primal fear of non-existence | Main | Rumi, love, and non-existence »

February 12, 2006

Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

When I first came face to face with these fears.... The fear of living forever was almost as bad as not existing at all.

My father, who was a minister, put it into perspective for me.. He said that he would fear existing forever if there was no possibility of continual growth or understanding.

I can sympathize with this position.

But facing these fears has forced me to simplify my faith.

I try to live in the moment as much as I can.

heaven, hell, existence, non-existence I can't do much of anything about them.. But my family, friends, this place I live and myself i can try to do something about.

It might not be much, but it is 'something'.

It light of this view...it becomes a great treasure to give something to someone, to make them happy. Even the attempt to do so is worth something.

I know some might read this and think...'how small a view'...but for me it is huge.

To see a loved ones happiness is bliss for me. To see them become thoughtful, caring, empathetic and giving people is 'heaven'.

To become secure and happy in the here and now is not about vanquishing all fears...but about finding a working balance or perspective from which to operate from.

I think I'll always have a little fear of living forever and Not-being at all...

If I wake up after death....I still think I'll take a nap every few millenia just to keep things in perspective.

I think that WayOutWesley paraphrased Jesus teachings when he said:

"But facing these fears has forced me to simplify my faith.

I try to live in the moment as much as I can."

After reading Paul Tillich, my sense of being and non-being changed to focus on the being now and try (not so successfully) not to allow fear of non-being to destroy my being.

Could we conclude that the Sermon On the Mount is addressing the ultimate fear from our ignorance of non-being?

The only reason I would say I wouldn't want you to cut my throat is because you would only be creating yourself karmas.

Brian

Five years on i wonder if you ever conquered your fear of non existence?

Perhaps you found some particular words of wisdom of perhaps you have put it to the back of your mind?

A penny for your thoughts.

Oh, and thanks for creating this site. It has been a useful outlet.

Chris

Chris, being a blogger, I'll share my thoughts for less than a penny. Tonight's blog post, which I'm about to start writing, will be about the question you asked. I'll share some approaches to the fear of non-existence which appeal to me. May be some repetition with previous posts, but that's fine.

Brian, Have you ever listented to John COltrane, the later years, after 1959. I highly recommend, starting with "A Love Supreme" . Listen with open ears and heart and let the music do the talking. Peace

My first Thoughts Of Non-existance Was 6 or 7 years old laying in bed, It Comes Down To An Appreciation for each breathe, To Live For Each Day In The Moment, Understanding That Love Is Eternal & The Only Reason For Existance... The Only Thing We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself, Because Death Is Non Existant...

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment

Your Information

(Name is required. Email address will not be displayed with the comment.)

Welcome


  • Welcome to the Church of the Churchless. If this is your first visit, click on "About this site--start here" in the Categories section below.
  • HinesSight
    Visit my other weblog, HinesSight, for a broader view of what's happening in the world of your Church unpastor, his wife, and dog.
  • BrianHines.com
    Take a look at my web site, which contains information about a subject of great interest to me: me.
  • Twitter with me
    Join Twitter and follow my tweets about whatever.
  • I Hate Church of the Churchless
    Can't stand this blog? Believe the guy behind it is an idiot? Rant away on our anti-site.