Messages

very interesting comments.  I am still waiting for someone who has actually gone in and talked to a psychologist and mentioned OBE's.  I am sure it's just as subjective as anything else so it would completely depend on the individual psych. and his or her beliefs abnd thgeories.

Leviiathan:

I appreciated your comments, however I can't help notice that you obviously have had many negative xpereinces with Christians and futhermore have developed a stereotypical perception of their beliefs.

You wrote:

quote:Christians are taught to believe that:

-- Clearing one's mind allows the Devil to enter
-- Leaving one's body allows the Devil to take it over.

If this similar interest group follows a believe system in
exploring a self-narcisstic state of godhood (enlightenment / knowledge, astral projection / courage, psychic ability / power), why is it that we are more understanding, more open to Christ, and more kind and humble than our Christian neighbors?

Where is our will to do evil or our will to harm others?

Just so you know, there are a lot of Christians (like myself) who don't believe the things you wrote, ie:
I don't believe clearing my mind is evil and I definetly am not any less kind, or don't try to be any less kind, that non-Christians.  

There are, in fact, Christian mystics, etc.  

Anyway, I don't want to get too deep into this, but the bottom line is that you are right to a degree...there are a lot of Christians who are very close minded, but there are also a lot of non-Christians, especially those from the "intellectual" communities who are just as close minded.

By playing into this game of judging and having prejudices, we are no better than these close minded, ignorant people.  The best way to help them is by example and by not judging them.

Robert, Frank and Adrian have all provided me with invaluable information.  I think every member has something unique to offer, even if it is a question and not an answer.

Hey, I should be a politician huh?!

I ashamed of this thread and I think it's a pathetic attempt to get more "stars!"  

Woo hoo!  I am now one post closer to a thousand posts![][]

I think most "aliens" people see are actually non-physical entities that appear in "alien" form because it is the image that most modern human beings have come to associate with "the other" and with fear.

Think about the fact that people always used to see faries and trolls and demons...and now they see aliens.  It has to do with the human consciousness and how the mind interprets things/entities and/or how the beings themselves want to be percieved.

I believe in "alien life" but I am very skeptical about actual physical beings visiting our planet.

First of all Tao, your questions are COMPLETELY valid.  They may not be totally appropriate for this particular forum but this whole site is dedicated to discovering more about ourselves and the nature of reality (in the future try the "Metaphysical" or "philisophical" forums in the future for these kinds of post...in fact maybe we will move this question over there for you in order to try to get more input).

From my point of view there are answers to these questions, incomplete answers but answers.

As many know, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and therefore a Christian.  While I don't pretend, in ANY stretch of the imagination, to speak for other Christians (most of whom I definetly don't agree with on 99% of doctrinal issues) I do like to think of myself as sort of the "alternative" point of view here in the astralpulse because most of the other members (and moderators) definetly wouldn't (correct me if I am wrong) like to identify themsleves with any formal belief system (which is impossible really), especially Christianity.

My Answers:
Anyway, as an LDS (Latter-Day Saint) I believe in a God, as well as Gods.  I also believe that Jesus Christ is a divine being.  I believe we all of us have the potential to be Gods in the sense that God wants us to gain everything he has.  We will always "look up" and be in debt to those advanced, perfected beings who organized and "gave life" to us, but they want us to have all.

As an LDS person I believe we existed as "intelligences" before coming to this world.  Here we have the chance to gain knowledge, to love, and to choose which path we will take.  Some eat cheeseburgers, work and watch tv while others search and thirst after the "answers" to those questions you posed.  Some murder, others serve their fellow beings and desire to grow and ascend the dimensional ladder.

I don't want to get too off track, but as an LDS person I believe in a belief system that is flexible and subject to change.  The one constant is that there is a perfect being(s) and they provide us with opportunities to grow FOREVER...not just to get to some heaven to strum harps.  We can create and organize and love and learn FOREVER.  No one is in a static condition, we are either improving or becoming worse.

I'd love to write more, but my bed doth call.  Thanks for asking those "terrible questions" (I say terrible because those are the questions that literally haunt many throughout life simply because they are afraid to confont them...but we can't avoid them, we must face them)

I hope that my thoughts are at least compelling, if not touching.

Dan[]

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)



Here's another big Hollywood popcorn picture that, in my opinion, looks promising but after reviewing what the critics are saying I think I'll wait until it's out on DVD/VHS.  Too bad...it definetly has potential.  You never can trust a critic when it comes to art because, you know, subjectivity, blah blah blah...

Anyway, here's some info:

CONSENSUS
Just ordinary. LXG is a great premise ruined by poor execution.

CAST & CREW
Sean Connery, Naseeruddin Shah, Peta Wilson
Directed by Stephen Norrington
more...

SYNOPSIS
Set in Victorian England, the story centers around a team of extraordinary figures enlisted by a mysterious caller to stop a villain intent on turning the nations of the world against one another. more...
----------------
Here are what a few ciritcs have to say:
"Connery chews the scenery, beats up everybody in sight, and tries to bully his co-stars into acting."
-- Victoria Alexander, FILMSINREVIEW.COM

 "[The filmmakers] assume that we viewers have absolutely no knowledge of these characters whatsoever, and that we're basically walking tree stumps."
-- Jeffrey M. Anderson, SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER

 "Weak climax, but overall, the film is quite enjoyable, never too serious about itself, always in it for the fun and adventure."
-- Ross Anthony, HOLLYWOOD REPORT CARD

 "One more bloated effects-o-rama lumbering through a formula plot without much zest, imagination or awareness of its own absurdity."
-- William Arnold, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER

 "Summer-movie-ized for the Cliff's Notes set, predictably packed with flash and completely devoid of life."
-- Rob Blackwelder, SPLICEDWIRE

 "Works wonderfully as a popcorn picture."
-- Jay Boyar, ORLANDO SENTINEL

 "The finest moments are when the nineteenth century literary superheroes demonstrate their unique talents."
-- Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH

 "I've seen worse films, of course, worse this year, even, but when you get this close to the absolute nadir of cinema, subtle measures of relative merit just don't mean much anymore."
-- Walter Chaw, FILM FREAK CENTRAL

 "It's loud, alternately garish and boorish and is going to hack off literary conessieurs, comic book lovers and movie fans alike. That's an epic entertainment trifecta to be wishing they were H.G. Wells' Time Traveler."
-- Erik Childress, EFILMCRITIC.COM

 "In the end, what's most extraordinary about Gentlemen is that despite its preposterous leaps of logic, it somehow still emerges as a reasonably entertaining summer blockbuster."
-- Peter Debruge, PREMIERE MAGAZINE

 "An entertaining special-effects action extravaganza based on an amusing premise"
-- Jack Garner, ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE

 "For all the high-brow literary humor and engaging action scenes, the film gains no momentum and instead cruises along content to have you marvel at its potential."
-- James Hill, BET.COM

 "These ain't the X-Men, folks!"
-- JoBlo, JOBLO'S MOVIE EMPORIUM


 "Most studios aim for movies, particularly summer movies, that can be enjoyed by both kids and their parents. LXG can be enjoyed by children and ... their grandparents."
-- Joe Baltake, SACRAMENTO BEE

 "[An] old-fashioned, Saturday matinee fun spotlighting larger-than-life heroes, a masked mystery villain, deadly perils and scientific wonders."
-- Bob Bloom, JOURNAL AND COURIER (LAFAYETTE, IN)

 "The writing is terrible. There is no tension, no mystery, no excitement, no adventure."
-- Liz Braun, JAM! MOVIES

I guess the question is, "Where do you go on 'long journeys' to?"

Oh, and it's nice to have you back.[]

Hey, don't worry!  No one is ignoring you, it just takes time and really compelling stuff to get people interested sometimes.  I am one, for example, that would love to respond to every post but I simply don't have the time.

Regarding your post I will say this:  don't worry about "accidently" calling up bad spirits.  You are mistaking conscious/voluntary desire with subconscious fear.  For example, I might walk into a crowded room and think, "Man, I hope I don't trip and fall!  I know I am going to trip though!"  THen, of course, I don't trip...but I was scared I might do that so I thought it.  That is different than saying to yourself, "I am going to walk in there and fall down on my face in purpose."  Do you see where I am going with this?

Also, don't believe everything you hear and see about UFO's and aliens.  I will IM you with my feelings regarding this subject if you want.

Daniel

Man...this just goes to show how out of the loop I am.  I have to agree with Frank's original post and I echo his words when I say that I am by no means a prude but have been very disheartened by some of the foul language and utterly immature behavior by some members of the forum.  

For the most part, however, the site is running as smooth as ever and I know I have a lot of friends and people willing to listen and lend advice here (or just chat).

Dan

Thanks!  Some of those are great sites.

For gaming info I love www.gamespot.com

Here is a funny one (if you're immature and can take a joke, like me!):
www.realultimatepower.net

I am self taught and I taught myself wrong.  I "hunt and peck" but do so at a fairly quick rate (45-55 WPM with 85% accuracy).  MY wife laughs at me because she is an excellent typist and, like most of the good typists I know, learned to type in formal classes at school.

I don't know of any programs, if I did I should probably enroll![]

TIMELESS-- No no!  I didn't mean for it to sound like I was unappreciate your comments!  I am VERY grateful for them.  I need ciriticism... please keep it coming!  And I make more mistakes than anyone, especially when I type.  

I was kidding about the "was" "is" thing.

Anyway, in the future when I post other stuff now you HAVE to rip it apart, if you don't I'll think you're pulling your punches!  []

Seeya!
Dan

No, he wasn't a published author, he is a published author.  Thanks again and I like your new post about 50 words to avoid.

Guess what!?  This is the craziest thing, I have been noticing that my clocks and watches tell the time differently almost always.  Like I'll get up at 7:12AM and then when I check the clock later it will say 8:15AM...then later still it will be 5:12PM.  I mean, whoa..that's uncanny...

Thanks for the advice.  YOu know, I always say that those who are in the worst shape are the people who don't see their weaknesses and, fortunately, I see mine.  I understand exactly what you have said about my writing.  Thank goodness that, also like you said, practice is what cures this.

Fortunately this paper earned me an A despite the fact that the Professor is very anal and scrutinizing.  What I lack in style and diction I usually make up in content and rhetoric.  Anyway, thanks for the analysis and I look forward to more.

I just want to say this:

The above thread is more or less a microcosm of the kind of idiotic things people say to eachother when religion comes up and it goes to show just how pigheaded and defensive (or offensive) otherwise intelligent, normal people become when certain ideologically charged words arise in conversation.  

I am not passing judgement, just verbalizing an observation.

The monthy newsletter and the chance to have short stories and ebooks put online sounds great.  I have short story I have been working on for sometime and although I am usually tentative about having my work out in the open, I think it's time that I do.

Hey, great comments.  Thanks for fleshing this out with me...these topics are of great interest to me.  I will try to find some quotes and other info to add to this in order to stimulate more "conversation."

I just finished up a course in critical theory and literature, so we read tons of stuff from critics (classical and some moderately conteporary stuff) and everyone seems to have different ideas of what makes writing great and what it's function in society/the world is.  Very compelling stuff..it's funny because, like every topic, when you eventually get down to the nitty gritty, it's all about ideology and spirituality and the perspective each person takes of the world and reality and morality, etc.

Hello again!

I hope my original post didn't make me sound like I write only because I want to get published or that I think that's whay others shoudl/need to do.  Quite the contrary!  Most of the writing I do is for school, but the rest of it is for me and a lot of it has been read by no one but myself, so I totally agree with you all.

Writing, like any creative process, is completely subjective...anything can be wonderful to he who creates it.  But anyone is says good writing (and when I say good writing I am stepping into the more objective realm of scholarly or publishable material) is not difficult is, in my opinion, not very well acquainted with the tradition and trade of the writing.  One has to reach back to the Greek philosophers and the debate regarding poetry and the virtue/importance of poetry and prose that is still ongoing in order to really even begin to grasp how the art has evolved.  

Anyway, I hope I have explained myself well.  In the end, I guess, the bottom line is that there are different kinds of writing and different reasons to write and in myu opinion one is no better than another, but they are definetly DIFFERENT.

I believe in a God...one that loves and knows us.  I believe there are more than one God and I believe we can become Gods.  God is infinite, we are infinite.  No beginning, no end.  The truth comes to each one of us in flashes, but we can know for sure there is a God.

GoingSlow-
thanks for clarifying.  I read the post LATE at night and I don't think I picked up on  the sarcasm.  Anyway, I actually think this post has turned out a lot of really healthy conversation.  People need to realize that cyberspace is a very unique place and social interactions within it are not like our everyday interactions.  I am not saying they should or shouldn't be, it's just a fact and, interestingly enough, we are really the first human beings to experience "digital" interaction.  I don't want to start waxing philisophical, so I will shut up now.  I just have one more thing to say: there isn't anyone here I dislike or hold a grudge against.  People here have definetly ticked me off a number of times, but honestly I might remember the topic of conversation, but who said what and why I was mad...I can't remember.  I truly can't. It's ALL GOOOOOD in the Astral Forum HOOD![8D]       []

Going slow wrote:

quote:I too have been victimized by rude posts spiritgirl.

We have to ignore those that victimize us by not answering us exactly as we would want them to.

I feel you. Best thing to do is leave and tell everyone it's their fault. That way people can see who the bigger person was. Good luck.

That doesn't sound like very good advice to me.  

"best thing to do is leave"?  I don't think so.  Running away from problems and people never solves anything and furthermore, this "victimized" mentality, which runs rampant these days, is one of the many things that is really hurting society.

I, and everyone here, has likely been offended to some degree...but if you are secure and have good self-esteem and believe in yourself and your ideas then you move on and make a difference and learn...

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Hello and welcome!  I second everything my friends in here have said.  This is a great site with a lot of wonderful discussion.  Don't forget to use the search tool provided in the forums here to look up specific topics and questions.

So you were in Italy for a while huh?  I lived there for a few years.  Which areas did you stay in?

Thanks for the info!  I definetly don't pretend to know much about anime, the point I was making is that Sprited Away is definetly much different than most of the animated films that released here in the USA.  

I will check out that other film, the "princess" one.  Is it similar?