Moni

Do you go on the actions of its practitioners.
No, too many practioners spoil the soup

Do you go on the apparent benefits the worldview brings their mindset and life?
See above answer

Perhaps you ignore the practitioners and look at the originator and their life.
I definitely look to the originator for focus and clarification where I find things that I want or need to understand on a higher level.

Do you focus on the ideas alone.
The ideas are only a part of the whole picture. I take into consideration cause and effect as well as long term consequences of applying said ideas to life on a personal and on a worldwide level, meaning that I consider the animals, the atmosphere, and the environment as well as humans when I comtemplate the ideas and their worth...when I think that some of those ideas may encompass all aspects of life that is.

Do the ideas inherant within a philosophy attract you?
I find a few philosophy's ideas work with others philosphies and even religions to create what I feel is harmony and balance in my own life.

Do you incorporate different views under one umbrella?
Most definitely...they are the spices that make the soup edible.

If so:
(a)How do you balance the worth of accumulated wisdom within a balanced and layered view with your own perspective and the idea that you can know more than the originator(s).
I believe that I do know more than those individuals who just stick to one particular mindset of ideals and philosophies throughout life but I don't believe that I can know more than the originator(s), rather that I can only hope to at least reach an educated understanding of them through practice of my beliefs and through my faith. I believe life is an ever-learning process and if I die knowing it all, well then, something went wrong somewhere (lol)

(b)What is the balance between your behavioural choices and your theological/cosmic beliefs.
It is pretty well balanced as I have seen the progression of a greater measure of peace and harmony with myself and the rest of the planet since I undertook the practice end of my responsibility toward understanding.

Does one outweigh the other?
At times, but I am reminded by dischord (inner or outer) that an imbalance has occured and I focus on discovering my missteps and then on working to restore the balance when that happens.

Have you had a supernatural experience?
Quite a few actually, but nothing that has frightened me since I was twenty three or twenty four years old.

Perhaps you have balanced all the above?
Off and on, it is a struggle to maintain a perfect balance when offered temptations to stray into areas of life that are not harmonious with what I consider my level of perfect balance. Life is a job we must learn to enjoy.

There you go. I hope I did not add any confusion to your thought provoking thread! LOL
Great thread btw! I am sure more people will take a look at it and start posting...when I initailly read it, I wasn't sure exactly what you meant (a reading comprehension deficit caused by lack of sleep and overworking myself at school & home ) but when I read it again today and the answers posted by AliCat, Wolfgir, Fljotsdale and yourself, it all became quite clear...at least I think it did! (well I did get a good night's sleep too. )

P.S. Idaho Russets.

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You know childhood is over when a puddle seems like an obstacle instead of an opportunity.

Is Too! Is Not! Is Too! Is Not!


[This message has been edited by Moni (edited 09-02-2001).]