Identity, individuality

[Aupmanyav]

Ah, so you are worried about identity, individuality.
In East, it is considered a mirage. Oneness requires abandonment of (edit: spurious) identity, individuality.

I would love to hear more about this. I don't supposed you'd care to start a new thread about it? In the Belief or Eastern section, wherever suits you best.

'Who we are?' is a big question. In non-dual Hinduism, Advaita philosophy, we are what all things in the universe are made of, no different.
Hindus gave it a name - Brahman, that which constitutes the Brahma (universe). That is our permanent identity. All other identities are temporary and will disintegrate in time. Nothing is excluded in it.

That was said by Brihadaranyaka Upanishad in 800 BCE. "Aham Brahmasmi" (I am Brahman).
This was repeated in Chandogya Upanishad in 600 BCE. "Tat twam asi" (You are That).
Identities of humans, animals, trees last only till they are alive. (Aupmanyav, Johny the poodle, Akshay Vata (eternal bunyan) in Allahabad, India)
When they die, they are absorbed back into the environment and their identity is no more.

People hanker after individuality, thinking that it will escape death. That is why we fear death. That has given rise to beliefs in God, Soul, judgment, end of days, heaven and hell. But there is no evidence for that. Rebirth, reincarnation, being raised from death, eternal life.

Why not accept the reality?

 

[muhammad_isa]

People hanker after individuality, thinking that it will escape death. That is why we fear death..

I don't think that we all fear death..

Why not accept the reality?

I cannot "unlearn" what I have discovered in life, through experience and study.
We have all still got things to learn, regardless of age.

"Reality" is what you think it is.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I don't think that we all fear death..

I cannot "unlearn" what I have discovered in life, through experience and study.
We have all still got things to learn, regardless of age.

"Reality" is what you think it is.

Perhaps true. You look for eternal life and escape from hell (anger of your God). He has explained in Qur'an as to what torture can he put you through if you disobey his mandate or his messenger.
Learning new may requires unlearning old.
Reality is where evidence points and not always where an old book points..

 

[Thomas]

Reality is where evidence points and not always where an old book points..

But you do seem to make judgements about reality that lie outside the scope of the 'evidence' you rely on?

 

[Aupmanyav]

But you do seem to make judgements about reality that lie outside the scope of the 'evidence' you rely on?

If I have done so anywhere, I will readily retract my statement.

 

[muhammad_isa]

He has explained in Qur'an as to what torture can he put you through if you disobey his mandate or his messenger..

What I understand, is that our deeds carry consequences.
..and that G-d is the Fairest of All Judges.
No soul will be wronged in the slightest, for what it is not guilty of.

I understand that G-d is not a person, per se, and is not comparable to any other.
Criminals don't like the police .. why not, do you think?
I would say that it was because they wanted to break the law.