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Originally Posted by Tam9  You're funny!  I enjoy discussing this with you. Now back to business.  ...
3. I don't find it practical to deny the past because, as even you have said, you can learn from it. To disavow it or renounce its influence on the present is a form of denial. Why to we have Memorial Day? Why is it good to honor past heroic deeds and people? There are events that we should remember and hold in our hearts. Do those 'pasts' not exist in our memories? What's wrong with that .... |
I'm having fun with this conversation, too, Tam9.
Just to be clear: I've said it before in this thread and I'll say it again, I do not deny the past. Neither do I disavow it or renounce its influence on the present. Those things are entirely different from saying what I say: The past does not exist now.
I don't even remember why we celebrate Memorial Day, so for me that holiday consists of a very "in the moment" experience of the first heat of summer. One thing I can appreciate about past events is that it sets me up for appreciation of seasonal probable future events. I am good with anticipation, but I don't want to live there. Mostly because it doesn't exist.
And yes, it's good to celebrate deeds and people who have done things. Why? Because we're celebrating and encouraging qualities represented by our memories of those people and deeds that we wish to nurture NOW -- courage, love, peace, sympathy.
We have thoughts (including memories) about the past and future, but we don't have the past and future. I will concede to you that you are calling your thoughts about the past and future, "the past" and "the future". But all they are thoughts, that's all "the past" and "the future" are. Once more, I'm not denying that events that you can remember happened, and I'm not telling you they have no influence on your current moment. They just don't exist.
There is no then now. It's all now now.