The path of enlightenment.

ShadowLycan: As we go about our lives we see people who seem at different levels of understanding of reality, if we are seekers we look for the ones who are speaking truthfully. The ones who have gained something we seem to be missing, knowledge. In Hinduism there is the understanding that people are at different levels of acceptance, some are willing to accept reality whilst others prefer thier own box.

The founding of hindu philosophy in the post Vedic era brought forward upanishads as the ground work for spiritual growth and a better understanding of reality. The origin of these writings is unknown. They paint us a picture of mystic thought at the time, the greatest minds of the far East giving thier subjective interpretation of our world and the universe we inhabit.

One of the first things we see is how absent god is from these writings, these were men of science and reason it would appear. Putting aside the elemental polythiestic religion of the Vedas, they looked for truth. These could very well have been early atheists, a non theism mind set has existed in Hinduism for a long time. Buddhism is one such branch. They proposed that the idea of having a personal deity as most Hindus did and still do, is merely a reflection of that individuals personality.

This helps us understand hindu gods better, and why there are so many. Someone thinks that an aspect of humanity isn't being represented and feels left out, make a new god! says Hinduism. Individual spirituality based upon the needs and wants of the person. But this is only a means to an end. As the upanishads teach us, god is a stepping stone. And eventually it isn't necessary at all.

Once we move beyond the realm of personal gods and superstition fueled by doctrine. We reach the philosophical side. Exploring the cosmos with open minds is a wonderful experience, to see humanity in a new light. This is the path of a lot of atheists. People who have learned enough knowledge, about themselves.

But is this the end? More to come.

ShadowLycan: By studying religion as a whole with an ongoing timeline, athiestism is a natural conclusion to arrive at. By understanding theistic deities they can be seen as a tool for young minds to relate to the bigger picture, or as unnecessary altogether. Whatever the conclusion god is left behind. I remember realizing my imaginary friends were my idea of the ideal person as well as reflections of myself, after reading upanishads, and god fell right into that area.

So what's next? A better understanding of the mind and it's workings helps settle and rebuild on a healthy framework. This ties into biology and from there into nature, and into the universe. Our journey has begun. It's important to not limit ones self when it comes to learning, study everything. If I hadn't studied religion and occult and all sorts of cultural superstitions, I wouldn't be an atheist today. Or at least not a good one.

Next the study of proper and healthy thought, and the knowledge of faulty reasoning and logic fallacies. Using this we can listen to what is actually being said and establish reality from fiction, based on the knowledge we've gained and the help of some great minds of our time. Next comes the best part, living.

Having changed from the very core we have a new outlook on life and a reason to pursue knowledge and fight ignorance, for the betterment of our species, and for the individuals who are going to inherit this small planet in the corner of a galaxy in the backally of the universe.

ShadowLycan: Please keep all comments and questions to the subject at hand, anyting that strays from the direct subject will be deleted. Or anything that is merely one stroking the ego will also be removed as this is not helpful and is a waste of time. In replying to the conversation keep your responses intelligent and to the point of the previous statements. Respectfully, ShadowLycan.

Angry Beaver: Well, that worked! lol