What is the point of the physical world?

[AlanRK]

I like to say that I hate humanity... but in the same breath, I can also see that there is vastly more beauty and good than there is bad on this planet.  
I'm a product of the same world... difference... perception.  

Don't get me wrong, I don't think this world is all that terrible, but as best I can ascertain there is more negativity in mankind (including me) than there is real goodness. Even seemingly good things are often negative to some degree. I don't contest that it is a choice at all, in fact I agree completely; this world and the humanity that resides on it are incredibly negative, and it is entirely a self-imposed choice.

This is ever so true... and is something I figured out not too long ago myself.
I choose how I react to situations...

For example... driving... I can get cut off by someone and get all ticked off at them for it... or I can just accept it happened and go on with my day.  I choose now to simply get on with my day.  And I remain that much more relaxed.

I'm sure you understand that the situation you presented is extremely fleeting and mild. If, then, the same reckless driver crashes into you the next day through their own fault, thereby crippling your physical body to give you immense physical pains and disability for the rest of your now shortened life, how will you react? You can certainly choose how to react, but most realistically what will happen? Either way, you will suffer for some amount of time, and if you recover then you learned something from your experience. Hence, learning through suffering.

As a sidenote, the same driver decides to sue you for every penny you have for placing their life in danger (even though they escaped unscathed). Sounds crazy, but it does happen

[Taoistguy]

I hope you start to see the light soon.
Then maybe all your nightmares will be gone.

[Naykid]

Life is not about suffering unless that is what you choose.  We cannot always choose our circumstances, but we have full control on how we react to them.  We are in full choice as to whether we "suffer" or not.

Angie

Tell that to a small child who is being abused by an adult.  I think we have a choice once we get older on how we want suffering to mold our lives, but not a small child, no..to them abuse is abuse, pain is pain.

[Taoistguy]

Tell that to a small child who is being abused by an adult.  I think we have a choice once we get older on how we want suffering to mold our lives, but not a small child, no..to them abuse is abuse, pain is pain.

Tell that to a child who is NOT being abused.

[AlanRK]

I hope you start to see the light soon.
Then maybe all your nightmares will be gone.

That is incredibly rude and condescending. Do not say anything like this to me again.

[Xanth]

Don't get me wrong, I don't think this world is all that terrible, but as best I can ascertain there is more negativity in mankind (including me) than there is real goodness. Even seemingly good things are often negative to some degree. I don't contest that it is a choice at all, in fact I agree completely; this world and the humanity that resides on it are incredibly negative, and it is entirely a self-imposed choice.

Our perceptions of the world then do not match.
Which, as I always say, is fine.

I'm sure you understand that the situation you presented is extremely fleeting and mild. If, then, the same reckless driver crashes into you the next day through their own fault, thereby crippling your physical body to give you immense physical pains and disability for the rest of your now shortened life, how will you react? You can certainly choose how to react, but most realistically what will happen? Either way, you will suffer for some amount of time, and if you recover then you learned something from your experience. Hence, learning through suffering.

As a sidenote, the same driver decides to sue you for every penny you have for placing their life in danger (even though they escaped unscathed). Sounds crazy, but it does happen

Well, I chose to use a less dramatic and more of a "common occurrence" example than you. 

[moondreamer]

Tell that to a small child who is being abused by an adult.  I think we have a choice once we get older on how we want suffering to mold our lives, but not a small child, no..to them abuse is abuse, pain is pain.

I never said suffering was not as valid a response as not suffering.  And I am not saying that we should not have compassion for others who are suffering. There are many, many atrocities in this world.  We still are all able to choose our reactions to what happens in our lives.

Tell that to a child who is NOT being abused.

I do.  I teach my children about how their reactions/attitudes to disappointments and tragedies affect them. 

I'm sure you understand that the situation you presented is extremely fleeting and mild. If, then, the same reckless driver crashes into you the next day through their own fault, thereby crippling your physical body to give you immense physical pains and disability for the rest of your now shortened life, how will you react? You can certainly choose how to react, but most realistically what will happen? Either way, you will suffer for some amount of time, and if you recover then you learned something from your experience. Hence, learning through suffering.

As a sidenote, the same driver decides to sue you for every penny you have for placing their life in danger (even though they escaped unscathed). Sounds crazy, but it does happen

There are many examples of things like this happening in the world.  On man/woman is paralyzed and spends the rest of their life in a deep depression.  Another man/woman in the same situation chooses to figure out where to go from there and leads a happy and productive life.  I know personally of many situations like this where either one or the other choice is made.


Also, I have had a few experiences in my life that led me to the deep darkness of depression.  I chose that.  I take responsibility for how I reacted to those situations.  I still choose the negative reaction route sometimes, but I am now aware that I am choosing to suffer and can change that around.

[Naykid]

We still are all able to choose our reactions to what happens in our lives.

I agree, when one is older.   

[Bellend_1010]

  WIN!

what?!?!

[Naykid]

Tell that to a child who is NOT being abused.

Believe me, I do. 

[CFTraveler]

what?!?!

Not what, why.  ATM I liked your answer the best of all.  Before it went into why the world is what it is.

Quote from: Bellend_1010 on Today at 09:54:02:

The point of the physical world is to meet wonderful people like me.

[Taoistguy]

That is incredibly rude and condescending. Do not say anything like this to me again.

Can't see how it can be seen as rude or condescending. I was merely wishing good for you and trying to point out that maybe you should try to see things in a different light.

[Naykid]

Can't see how it can be seen as rude or condescending. I was merely wishing good for you and trying to point out that maybe you should try to see things in a different light.

I think he misunderstood you when you said, "I hope you see the light soon" as if he wasn't enlightened enough or something to that effect.  I think you just meant that instead of darkness, there will be light. 

[Taoistguy]

oh. I see.

[AlanRK]

Can't see how it can be seen as rude or condescending. I was merely wishing good for you and trying to point out that maybe you should try to see things in a different light.

I hope you start to see the light soon. <- Assuming that I am ignorant or blind, assuming completely that my view is invalid and I am not seeing things for what they are. As well, strong religious connotation (Christian tradition) enforces condescending tone.

Then maybe all your nightmares will be gone. - Not sure where you got "nightmares" from. Another assumption that I am living in or experiencing nightmares. This would qualify as the "rude" part.

I spent as little time as possible addressing this since I think you knew exactly what you were saying.

[Bellend_1010]

Not what, why.  ATM I liked your answer the best of all.  Before it went into why the world is what it is.

Quote from: Bellend_1010 on Today at 09:54:02:

Still don't understand what you talking about dude. What did I win?!?! lost me totally.

[mcdwg]

I wasn't factoring in the media at all, I base my viewpoint on my personal interactions and what I can observe. And even then not just what I can see, but what is really there beneath the layers and in the depths to the heart of things. Superficial things like weddings appear "good", but to put it crudely people at parties tend to be satisfied at the time because there's free food and free drinks. I have never met someone who is truly happy and satisfied with their lives overall. Sure, people can have temporary euphoria with many forms of escapism, but overall in the heart of things there is a great deal of unhappiness. Even in little subtle things which seem meaningless and appear to bring happiness, there is underneath it an underlying necessity for that thing because of a general state of unhappiness.

I think this is an example of how one create their own reality, one may see their day to day reality as negative even on things that seem positive.  I'm beginning to believe thoughts really make our reality and the world we individually live on.

[personalreality]

all metaphysics aside, psychologically speaking, our expectations of our reality are constantly projected onto our environment.  this reflects back a reality that matches our state of mind.  simply put, self-fulfilling prophecy.  but it's bigger than that really.  this is always happening.

[Stookie]

Agreed PR. I've said it before, I'll say it again: Your outer-life is a reflection of your inner-life.

[CFTraveler]

Still don't understand what you talking about dude. What did I win?!?! lost me totally.

WIN is an internet meme used to express approval.  Although I'm withdrawing it now.
And don't ask me what an internet meme is, because I'm done with this.

[Bellend_1010]

K sorry I didn't know dayyyuummmm

[Xanth]

ROFL

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_meme

In any case, this is a great example of a thread gone wild.