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Sekou · 01-26-2007, 10:02 PM

Hrm.

I've lived a life largely without religious and spiritual influences, though that does not mean I am without the moral compass they provide. I have a very rational, logical mind, though that does not mean I deny what is often called "spiritual" or do not find it enlightening. Spiritual to me is a re-organization or re-structuring of the mind in order to better deal with common human conditions. I very often identify with Steve Pavlina's line of thinking and have come to love the site -- I know I live a very peaceful and harmonious life because of my interest in self-improvement.

None of my beliefs are set in stone -- I am always open to the idea that I am wrong or that there is room for improvement. I do, however, have two beliefs that resonate deep within me: 1. death means annihilation, 2. everyone realizes this and finds a way to cope with it.

Terror management theory (Terror management theory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) treads into these murky waters.

I do not mean to "judge" anyone here for having differing beliefs. I am not attempting to provoke anyone. I am sharing my perspective of what I think is the truth.

That said, I feel the only logical form of action to the conscious acceptance of annihilation is to fight against it. And to be honest, even if you believe death is just a transition, there are no valid reasons for not wanting additional life.

There is ample research that is starting to come to light about aging. It is more or less the accumulation of damage overtime that weakens the body and prevents it from functioning optimally. The body becomes more and more prone to a fatal malfunction. This makes sense, as it should -- I am always confused that so many people can accept death as "given," that it happens without preventable or treatable reasons. Deaths are prevented all of the time -- there is no sense in thinking that it WILL happen at some unknown time in the future. "Natural" death is a myth -- all deaths have a reasonable, explainable (scientific) causes.

I encourage anyone who is curious -- as I imagine everyone who reads Steve Pavlina should be -- to at least consider a differing opinion on death. That is -- precisely -- why I am here, because I am constantly searching for an alternative belief to the belief that I feel deep down in my core. The closest I have come in recent times is the possibility that consciousness is linked on some quantum level, though even if true, does not necessary guarantee against annihilation.

If you find that you immediately disagree with the idea of terror management, maybe ask yourself why.

There is nothing to lose by having an active interest in life extension -- living healthier mentally and physically yourself and encouraging it in others, as well. And being supportive of all bioscience technologies, or even technology in general. We need not box ourselves by stubbornly believing certain inevitebles or by being unimaginative thinking we know all there is to know about the nature of consciousness.

We are in a continuing journey in life -- why settle for any belief is there is reason to doubt? And as I've said, there is room to doubt annihilation -- but so far I have heard/read nothing that sounds "more true" to me. And even if I did, I would have no reason not to want to live life for as long as possible, as I am sure we all have great purposes to fufill.

So, that's my two cents. I hope everyone has a long, long... long, and fulfilling life.

01-26-2007, 10:02 PM	#13 (permalink)
Sekou Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5	Hrm. I've lived a life largely without religious and spiritual influences, though that does not mean I am without the moral compass they provide. I have a very rational, logical mind, though that does not mean I deny what is often called "spiritual" or do not find it enlightening. Spiritual to me is a re-organization or re-structuring of the mind in order to better deal with common human conditions. I very often identify with Steve Pavlina's line of thinking and have come to love the site -- I know I live a very peaceful and harmonious life because of my interest in self-improvement. None of my beliefs are set in stone -- I am always open to the idea that I am wrong or that there is room for improvement. I do, however, have two beliefs that resonate deep within me: 1. death means annihilation, 2. everyone realizes this and finds a way to cope with it. Terror management theory (Terror management theory - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) treads into these murky waters. I do not mean to "judge" anyone here for having differing beliefs. I am not attempting to provoke anyone. I am sharing my perspective of what I think is the truth. That said, I feel the only logical form of action to the conscious acceptance of annihilation is to fight against it. And to be honest, even if you believe death is just a transition, there are no valid reasons for not wanting additional life. There is ample research that is starting to come to light about aging. It is more or less the accumulation of damage overtime that weakens the body and prevents it from functioning optimally. The body becomes more and more prone to a fatal malfunction. This makes sense, as it should -- I am always confused that so many people can accept death as "given," that it happens without preventable or treatable reasons. Deaths are prevented all of the time -- there is no sense in thinking that it WILL happen at some unknown time in the future. "Natural" death is a myth -- all deaths have a reasonable, explainable (scientific) causes. I encourage anyone who is curious -- as I imagine everyone who reads Steve Pavlina should be -- to at least consider a differing opinion on death. That is -- precisely -- why I am here, because I am constantly searching for an alternative belief to the belief that I feel deep down in my core. The closest I have come in recent times is the possibility that consciousness is linked on some quantum level, though even if true, does not necessary guarantee against annihilation. If you find that you immediately disagree with the idea of terror management, maybe ask yourself why. There is nothing to lose by having an active interest in life extension -- living healthier mentally and physically yourself and encouraging it in others, as well. And being supportive of all bioscience technologies, or even technology in general. We need not box ourselves by stubbornly believing certain inevitebles or by being unimaginative thinking we know all there is to know about the nature of consciousness. We are in a continuing journey in life -- why settle for any belief is there is reason to doubt? And as I've said, there is room to doubt annihilation -- but so far I have heard/read nothing that sounds "more true" to me. And even if I did, I would have no reason not to want to live life for as long as possible, as I am sure we all have great purposes to fufill. So, that's my two cents. I hope everyone has a long, long... long, and fulfilling life.