GENIUS FORUMS

A rock on a deserted beach is distinguishable from the surrounding sand, because it has a thingness that is different from that of the sand.

If this rock turns out to be a clump of sand, we simply crumble it up and it blends with that which it was previously different from. So, yeah...The thingness can change. Hence the appearance of the thingness isn't important (Isn't this why so many scientific theories have failed, because appearances can be deceiving.). Wait. On the other hand the thingness is very important.

?

Why is it even important to wonder where something begins and ends? What's the point?

It's important in understanding how things exist and if they possess inherent existence. It's part of understanding how Reality is. What do you conceive of, in a specific way, as an important thing you need to understand? You need to focus on one thing and not deviate too much till you get it. You need to [define your own thinking. You need to know what you're asking about.

I suspect you are mentally ill and cannot do this. Therefore, you need to pursue medical help more than anything else in your life.

Thanks.

Dan Rowden wrote:I mean where does any specific thing begin/end. Your keyboard, you monitor, your kitchen, your life.

Don't respond till you're sure you can say something salient.

Objects begin and end relative to their counter objects. My keyboard, relative to me, begins when the energy of my atomic particles cannot pass through the energy of my keyboard's atomic particles. Being as a ruler uses atomic particles as well, I can measure this distance, and relate the distance to my own atomic particles.

Your life is not comparable to this situation as it has different bounderies to atoms. Life on Earth begins for you when the substance called sentiency first observes the particles of your brain. To send the electrons moving where it wants them to go. You could be any age when this happens. Nature can carry your body along on its own until you become sentient.

The very first thing that really rocked me, philosophically, psychologically, was the idea that allthings were caused in a way that I had only thought of before in limited, linear, scientific terms.

Can you please elaborate on this?

Dan,

You need to [define your own thinking.

How do I proceed?

I'm not sure you can without some medical intervention. If you can't focus and calm your mind then you'll need some help achieving that ability. You won't get that help here, frankly, other than some possibly quasi-useful advice on how to get it.

You asked me to elaborate on:

The very first thing that really rocked me, philosophically, psychologically, was the idea that all things were caused in a way that I had only thought of before in limited, linear, scientific terms.

What I mean is previous to meeting and discussing matters with Kevin I had really only been thinking in strict scientific terms about causation. My own reading hadn't really extended, at that time, into eastern modes of thinking. So, being introduced to the logical mode of thinking about causality was strikingly powerful for me. The concept of co-dependent origination - that things arise together in necessary relation - is arguably the most salient notion in Buddhism. It's not just logical dualisms that arise in this way, but all things. In other words, a thing can only be what it is in relation to what it isn't. It has no existence otherwise. You may wish to scan over the Genius News website as there are certain discussions about this sort of thing therein. If I can recall a specific one I'll post a link otherwise a general perusal of that production might be helpful.

Btw, if you need a link to it, look up, it's at the top of every page here.

Thanks Dan.

Yesterday, I read a few paragraphs of this:

http://www.theabsolute.net/minefield/poison.html

I couldn't countinue because I was so incredibly ["it's better then sex"]<---Insert word for....I felt like I was becoming enlightened. It's impossible to explain. I knew and understood everything that was being posted on GF. Afterwards, I became confused and didn't know if it was the real deal or the beginnings of a phychotic episode. The thing with this is that I was totally rational. So, the most important question for me at this moment is: How do I know whether I'm slipping into an enlightened state or a phychotic one? (who's to say one can't be rational in both.)

It felt great. I almost cried...

Dan,

The concept of co-dependent origination - that things arise together in necessary relation - is arguably the most salient notion in Buddhism. It's not just logical dualisms that arise in this way, but all things. In other words, a thing can only be what it is in relation to what it isn't. It has no existence otherwise.

With all due respects to Buddhism, or this particular notion, I find it compelling to ask if “it has no existence otherwise” is actually possible? As far as "things" are concerned, can "things" cease to exist, hence change, duality, and existence/totality itself?