[Theo77]

I'd have to say, I don't think I am unconditionally safe here.

This podcast kind of reminded me of "A course in Miracles" and the mantra about somthing like "Nothing real can be harmed, nothing unreal exists; herein lies the peace of God"

It may strike people as odd but I have a serious problem with ACIM. I find it very ominous and threatening. Some of the foundational assumptions are that all separation is an illusion and that we are all the son of God. So our separate physical bodies are seen as an illusion. I guess the entire visible universe would then be an illusion.

I also read "The disappearance of the Universe" which is an introductory commentary on ACIM.

The idea there is that once everyone becomes enlightened everything will disappear and we will all be one, with no more individual identity any more, just one big blob of consciousness or something.

To me that would be like hell. Losing my individuality, my independence, and free will would be hell.

Enlightenment as explained in the paradigm of "non-duality" and in many eastern religions gives me the creeps.

Giving up all desire, experiencing ego death...doesn't sound like fun to me.

So does this mean I am polarized in fear? Does this mean I will do whatever it takes to survive even if I have to claw others eyes out?

I don't think so. Personal integrity is at a high premium in my universe. Because its personal. It involves my choice. Its my decision how I choose to behave. It makes my life meaningful. Its how I assert who I am.

There are values I hold higher than mere self preservation. Not because I think everything is an illusion and nothing bad can ever happen to me, because I will just get absorbed into this big borg and lose my identity.

Its because ultimately, who I am is who I chose to be. My actions count because they may be all I have.