Comments on Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?TypePad2012-10-08T02:23:22ZBrian Hineshttps://hinessight.blogs.com/church_of_the_churchless/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://hinessight.blogs.com/church_of_the_churchless/2012/10/happy-birthday-to-me-but-is-there-really-a-me/comments/atom.xml/Mike Williams commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017c32722d92970b2012-10-11T00:24:49Z2012-10-11T04:56:25ZMike Williams"I think, therefore I am." Descartes First, I (WHO) does not exist. Thinking exists and thought thinks itself. There is...<p>"I think, therefore I am."<br />
Descartes</p>
<p>First, I (WHO) does not exist.</p>
<p>Thinking exists and thought thinks itself.</p>
<p>There is no personalization which can<br />
be found in your brain. (slab of meat)</p>Rain Trueax commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017c3270b512970b2012-10-10T18:02:49Z2012-10-11T04:56:25ZRain TrueaxBrian, I don't generally read those books but this article on it sounded more like What Dreams May Come than...<p>Brian, I don't generally read those books but this article on it sounded more like What Dreams May Come than a standard Christian perspective on the 'other side'. The guy said he was a church goer but not a deep believer. I don't know what to think about it as he said his cortex was dead but is there other proof of that in his book? I won't be reading it as it's not of a huge interest to me. I though do not have the view you do that there cannot be anything 'over there'. I am an agnostic, not an atheist. I just don't know but am open to reading things and I do-- if they don't go on forever and ever. </p>
<p>Yes, it is possible that this doctor just lied, that he did create an illusion for himself with his brain, but I don't have an opinion on that either. To me there are mysteries in life as well as in who we really are. I don't spend a lot of time thinking about them, to be honest, but when I do, I come to the same point-- I don't know. (What Dreams May Come is a fun look at it if you haven't seen it).</p>cc commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017ee4141bc7970d2012-10-10T16:24:20Z2012-10-11T04:56:25Zcc"I find the idea that is really no "me" quite exciting." Yes, it's a compelling idea...until you think it through....<p>"I find the idea that is really no "me" quite exciting."</p>
<p>Yes, it's a compelling idea...until you think it through. If there is no I, how am I to know? Only I can say whether I is or not, and if I say I am not, I is. </p>Malcolm commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017d3c9bab06970c2012-10-10T01:29:45Z2012-10-11T04:56:25ZMalcolmI find the idea that is really no "me" quite exciting. I have known about this for some time. Upon...<p>I find the idea that is really no "me" quite exciting. I have known about this for some time. Upon reading this post, I immediately bought Westerhoff's book on my kindle and hope that it may help "me" to REALLY understand that there is no "me!"</p>
<p>As an aside, if there is no "me" there can be no free will, since to make a choice there must be "someone" to make it, No "someone", no choices. Life doesn't happen to us either, it just ... happens. That's really beautiful!</p>cc commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017c326ce23f970b2012-10-09T23:57:56Z2012-10-11T04:56:25Zcchttp://gawker.com/5950175/the-inevitable-collapse-of-organized-religion-in-america<p><a href="http://gawker.com/5950175/the-inevitable-collapse-of-organized-religion-in-america" rel="nofollow">http://gawker.com/5950175/the-inevitable-collapse-of-organized-religion-in-america</a></p>cc commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017ee410ab5a970d2012-10-09T23:53:39Z2012-10-11T04:56:25ZccAARP is interested in doing an article on your birthday celebration, and they're especially interested in video of your longboarding...<p>AARP is interested in doing an article on your birthday celebration, and they're especially interested in video of your longboarding and swing-dancing. Can you accomodate them? There's nothing in it for me, mind you...I'm just trying to facilitate this deal because you're just what they're looking for, y'know? </p>
<p>These days, for us ol' folks, it's all about "re-inventing" oneself, and darn it all, Brian, you da man! </p>
<p>So how 'bout it? Us baby-boomers need some uplift and inspiration, and you're a damn fine example of what an ol' fart can be when he ain't fartin' aroun', if you know wuddameen. </p>Blogger Brian commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017ee40f5157970d2012-10-09T17:49:13Z2012-10-09T23:02:07ZBlogger Brianhttp://profile.typepad.com/brihinesRain, I'm not much impressed with near death experiences, especially where the person having one experiences things that fit with...<p>Rain, I'm not much impressed with near death experiences, especially where the person having one experiences things that fit with their religious beliefs. </p>
<p>Gosh, what a coincidence. Out of all the many religious beliefs existing among humans, it turns out that this Christian believer finds out that the one he accepts is true. </p>
<p>If he'd realized that Buddhism was correct, or Hinduism, rather than Christianity, I'd be more inclined to accept that his tale was something more than his own brain speaking to him.</p>
<p>Note that he apparently came back with zero information about our physical reality that wasn't already known to him. Another sign that he didn't really have a genuine out of body experience. </p>
<p>He wants to claim that his brain was completely shut down, but how can he know this? CT scans don't show the functioning of the brain, to my understanding. And even fMRI scans aren't sophisticated enough to show what really is going on in every corner of the brain. </p>
<p>The guy has gotten a book and publicity out of his experience. Good for him. That's how I feel about the Newsweek story.</p>Roger commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017ee40f2dc1970d2012-10-09T17:12:18Z2012-10-11T04:56:25ZRogerFor those concerned, my birthday is Dec. 6th. If you wonder my age, think of a Little Rascal.<p>For those concerned, my birthday is Dec. 6th. If you wonder my age, think of a Little Rascal.</p>Marina commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017d3c98259c970c2012-10-09T09:42:41Z2012-10-09T16:20:32ZMarinaBelated HaPPy BiRtHDay Brian! Hope it was a good one ;) Marina<p>Belated HaPPy BiRtHDay Brian! Hope it was a good one ;)</p>
<p><br />
Marina</p>Moongoes commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017ee40ccc8c970d2012-10-09T06:16:31Z2012-10-09T16:20:32ZMoongoesI wish you very great life Brian! I have my b day also this week on friday,peace and for you:...<p>I wish you very great life Brian!<br />
I have my b day also this week on friday,peace</p>
<p>and for you:<br />
as long as you are in skateboarding now you need to pump up your music as well:<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqWP1rsAMrw" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqWP1rsAMrw</a><br />
</p>Janya Barrish commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017d3c961f84970c2012-10-09T00:23:58Z2012-10-09T16:20:32ZJanya BarrishHappy Birthday ! :)<p>Happy Birthday ! :)</p>Rain Trueax commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017d3c94a194970c2012-10-08T18:02:27Z2012-10-08T22:52:20ZRain TrueaxWhat did you think of this book, which relates to who 'me' is or at least who what 'me' thought...<p>What did you think of this book, which relates to who 'me' is or at least who what 'me' thought he was now versus what he had believed. I am still mulling it over-- <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/07/proof-of-heaven-a-doctor-s-experience-with-the-afterlife.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/07/proof-of-heaven-a-doctor-s-experience-with-the-afterlife.html</a></p>Suzanne Foxton commented on 'Happy birthday to me. But is there really a "me"?'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451c0aa69e2017ee4072d2e970d2012-10-08T04:56:19Z2012-10-08T22:52:20ZSuzanne FoxtonHappy Birthday Brian! October 7th is my birthday too. My ego loves it but I just ignore it.<p>Happy Birthday Brian! October 7th is my birthday too. My ego loves it but I just ignore it. </p>