A Position Paper on God

[Barry]

The concept of God is not from Earth. The proof of this is that we’re not still practicing nature worship: sacrificing to deities representing natural forces—the thunder god, the rain god, the sun god, etc. But God with a capital G doesn’t represent any natural force. It represents a supernatural force—a force above nature—a universal force: consciousness. Mind, in other words.
The concept of God was introduced to Earth from outside. It’s not from here. We didn’t originate it. It was brought to us.
The people who designed the Pioneer plaque http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_plaque sought a language someone not from Earth would understand. They language they chose was that of science—mind; consciousness. They included what is intended to be a simple visual representation of the hyperfine transition of hydrogen, the most common element in the universe, in hopes that any mind to see the plaque will understand what is being communicated—i/e, as a primer for interpreting the rest of the plaque.
The single linking component of all life in the universe is mind; consciousness. All life exhibits consciousness to varying degrees. An amoeba shows rudimentary consciousness. Ants show it to a higher degree; wolves, still higher. Whales, higher still. Humans, we assume, are at the pinnacle of consciousness as life on Earth goes. Surely there are life-forms in the universe exhibiting consciousness at a degree higher than humans. Perhaps even at a degree comparable to that between humans and amoebae? Not something comfortable to contemplate, true. How many amoebae have I slaughtered today, I wonder? If there is a consciousness in the universe that were I compared to it I would be on the level of an amoeba to me, maybe that consciousness will slaughter me the way I slaughter amoebae every day just by living. Nonetheless, it’s a factual speculation, one that must be entered into whenever one chooses to ponder the concept of God.
And this concept of God, where did it come from? Could we have possibly dreamed this up on our own? Or is it more likely it was brought to us, introduced from outside, much like we introduced ourselves to the universe through the auspices of the Pioneer plaque? Could it be that this concept of God is an attempt like that we ourselves have made of mind to communicate with mind, only on a much more long term scale than we are prepared to deal with? The Pioneer plaque, it is known, is much more likely to be overtaken by our own future ships than to ever encounter another, non-human, mind. Yet we made the effort anyway, right? We at least tried. Could it not be that another mind—another group of minds—much older than ours made a similar effort in our own deep past? Could it not be that an effort was made to communicate with us such that when we had reached a level of understanding sufficient to grasp the message, the message would still be there to grasp? Is there not just the possibility that this is where the concept of God comes from? Mind communicating with mind, over unimaginable spans of time, across incomprehensible degrees of consciousness? And should we not be paying attention?

Peace,
Barry

[sooZen]

Tho I lack balls, I am not lacking a few questions about your take on (G)od... Hope you do not Mind. (lol)

The concept of God was introduced to Earth from outside. It’s not from here. We didn’t originate it. It was brought to us.

Hummm, interesting statement of fact? Perhaps, maybe. I don't know that and doubt that anyone on this planet does for sure and if they do, proof is still missing as of now. Plenty of folks believe otherwise and I don't doubt their beliefs, they are just not mine...yet.

The proof of this is that we’re not still practicing nature worship: sacrificing to deities representing natural forces

Again, is this proof? I am still worshiping nature if you can call it that, i.e. "worshiping". Nature, to me, encompasses not just the trees and plants and insects and animals and reptiles and amoebas, etc. in this world. Nature is the way of things included in the infinity of space. Of course, semantics are arguable but that is the way I perceive nature.

But God with a capital G doesn’t represent any natural force. It represents a supernatural force—a force above nature—a universal force: consciousness. Mind, in other words.

oh really? it does? Mind is God? God is above nature? God is consciousness? I still am not buying the goods you have postulated.

In zen, the concept of no-mind is enlightenment. Mind is but a distraction or a tool for survival, our monkey mind always playing games. What is beyond thinking? Hard to wrap one's Mind around that.

Maybe there are forces and beings within this universe beyond our comprehension, in fact, I believe that may be true but what does that have to do with living or (G)od? We humans like to get caught up in dramas and forecasts when it has nothing to do with this moment and the reality of now. I just don't go there except when I am looking for entertainment. But that is just me...questioning is my modus operandi. And I understand that some things are just a wonderful mystery.

The single linking component of all life in the universe is mind; consciousness. All life exhibits consciousness to varying degrees

It seems to me that the single linking component of all, including the live stuff is energy. Even stones move with energy on a molecular level...energy is what propels the universe and all within it does it not? Not Mind or any consciousness... It seems that Mind only confuses and consciousness is debatable.

Mind communicating with mind, over unimaginable spans of time, across incomprehensible degrees of consciousness? And should we not be paying attention?

This seems really human-centric... I don't give Mind that much credit, no matter how big it is. Are you communicating with those animals and plants that you think are lower than your Mind? Does dog Mind qualify for consciousness? Things are what they are, conscious or not and all a part of nature, communicating or not. I pay attention to what is essential and try to be here, now.

If you are interested: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/questionofgod/v ... uzuki.html

[Barry]

It's a position paper, sooZen.
Posit: definition 2, from dictionary.com: To put forward, as for consideration or study; suggest.
A position paper has to be written this way. It's not supposed to sound wishy-washy.
A position is stated and an attempt is made to fortify it.
I appreciate very much your studied consideration of the position put forth.

Peace,
Barry

[sooZen]

Oh, kinda like the definition of "sky"

If that is your position...and you wanted some study, have you no reply? I thought you had replied to Dor somewhere here on the Studio that you liked discussion and debate. Perhaps I misunderstood.

A position paper has to be written this way. It's not supposed to sound wishy-washy.

okay, I didn't think it was wishy-washy at all. I did think it was your position and that is what I was questioning...

Never mind...

[Barry]

I'm really sorry, sooZen, but I won't be picking up the glove you've thrown down.

I wonder what D.T. Suzuki would do...

Peace,
Barry