Free will

News :) We are puppets of our physical brain(if we let it).

"The brain unconsciously initiates the process of "voluntary" action. Subsequently we become aware of this. On the basis of these results, some researchers concluded that free will is an illusion."

But then...

"We have free will to abort an action. So, we may better think of volitional action in this case not as free will, but as "free won't." We can stop an action initiated by our brain nonconsciously.

This capacity of "free won't" is generated by free choice. This is our conscious will at work."

So that means our non physical consciousness will fight with our physical brain for taking decisions.

"As long as man is a captive of habit, pursuing the dictates of self and desire, he is vanquished and defeated. This passionate personal ego takes the reins from his hands, crowds out the qualities of the divine ego and changes him into an animal, a creature unable to judge good from evil, or to distinguish light from darkness. He becomes blind to divine attributes, for this acquired individuality, the result of an evil routine of thought becomes the dominant note of his life."

Abdu'l-Baha : Divine Philosophy

and the article about free will www.psychologytoday.com

Is it science a tool for a better world? Could be, with the right moral values.

"The focus on military and commercial applications for science has drawn highly trained experts into fields that generate private profits but do nothing to enhance the public good. Brilliant medical researchers become engrossed in the search for patentable treatments for the diseases of affluence. Drugs that are scarcely more effective than placebos generate billion dollar revenues. The sales promotions for these drugs infiltrate plausible myths into scientific discourse. The best mathematicians in the world design software that gives banks a minute speculative edge over their rivals. Or worse, they concoct risk models that give reckless fantasy the appearance of sober calculation. Engineers spend their careers trying to develop must-have gadgets. Decades of investment culminate in a frenzy of manufactured excitement for the latest smart phone or mp3 player."

The above text is from an interesting article viewing the science today, you can read the rest of it here.

"Religion must agree with science, so that science shall sustain religion and religion explain science. The two must be brought together, indissolubly, in reality. Down to the present day it has been customary for man to accept blindly what was called religion, even though it were not in accord with human reason."

Baha'i writings

"Knowledge is like unto wings for the being (of man), and is as a ladder for ascending. To acquire knowledge is incumbent on all, but knowledge of those sciences which may profit the people of the earth, and not of such sciences are begin in mere words and end in mere words. The possessors of sciences and arts have a great right among the people of the world."

 Baha'i writings

"As web companies strive to tailor their services (including news and search results) to our personal tastes, there's a dangerous unintended consequence: We get trapped in a "filter bubble" and don't get exposed to information that could challenge or broaden our worldview... "

...although sound is but the vibrations of the air which affect the tympanum of the ear, and vibrations of the air are but an accident among the accidents which depend upon the air, consider how much marvelous notes or a charming song influence the spirits! A wonderful song giveth wings to the spirit and filleth the heart with exaltation....

 

Explosive content in 2:47 minutes!

"... our knowledge made us cynical... "

Rise and make art!

"The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and spirit. Through the power and charm of music the spirit of man is uplifted."
Compilations : Baha'i Education

THE CENTURY OF THE SELF  
 a BBC documentary

"Adam Curtis' acclaimed series examines the rise of the all-consuming self against the backdrop of the Freud dynasty.
Sigmund Freud's work into the bubbling and murky world of the subconscious changed the world. By introducing a technique to probe the unconscious mind, Freud provided useful tools for understanding the secret desires of the masses. Unwittingly, his work served as the precursor to a world full of political spin doctors, marketing moguls, and society's belief that the pursuit of satisfaction and happiness is man's ultimate goal.
To many in both politics and business, the triumph of the self is the ultimate expression of democracy, where power has finally moved to the people. Certainly the people may feel they are in charge, but are they really? The Century of the Self tells the untold and sometimes controversial story of the growth of the mass-consumer society in Britain and the United States. How was the all-consuming self created, by whom, and in whose interests?"

The thing that got stuck in my mind was about the phrase "infinite desires" of humans, which, unfortunately, is so true.

"We should continually be establishing new bases for human happiness and creating and promoting new instrumentalities toward this end. How excellent, how honorable is man if he arises to fulfill his responsibilities; how wretched and contemptible, if he shuts his eyes to the welfare of society and wastes his precious life in pursuing his own selfish interests and personal advantages."
Abdu'l-Baha : The Secret of Divine Civilization

"The sciences of today are bridges to reality; if then they lead not to reality, naught remains but fruitless illusion."
Abdu'l-Baha : Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha

How is our consciousness connected to the world?
Japan Science and Technology Agency made an interactive web page that will "Explore the unconscious functions of the brain with visual illusions and mysterious perceptual phenomena. " If you have 30 minutes you will find out new things about you, your mind, your self.

Web page here: http://www.Japan Science and Technology Agency.jp

I guess we see just what we think we see...

The two topics below have a conection... at least for me, the first one is a statement from the baha'i comunity the second one is a from behavioral scientist Dan Pink speaks about what motivates us. Enjoy...

"NEW YORK — A new statement challenging the common assumption that human beings are slaves to self-interest and consumerism has been issued by the Baha'i International Community.
A more profound look at human nature would reveal the ability to respond to a higher calling, suggests the document – issued this week for the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development as it began its annual two-week session.
"The culture of consumerism ... has tended to reduce human beings to competitive, insatiable consumers of goods and to objects of manipulation by the market," it says.
In fact, "the human experience is essentially spiritual in nature: it is rooted in the inner reality – or what some call the 'soul' – that we all share in common," it states.
The document, titled "Rethinking Prosperity: Forging Alternatives to a Culture of Consumerism," challenges the view that there is an intractable conflict between what people want – which supposedly is to consume more – and what humanity needs.
"Much of economic and psychological theory depicts human beings as slaves to self-interest," it says. "The faculties needed to construct a more just and sustainable social order – moderation, justice, love, reason, sacrifice and service to the common good – have too often been dismissed as naive ideals. Yet, it is these and related qualities that must be harnessed. ..."

The discussion, held on 10 May at the New York offices of the Baha'i International Community, was cosponsored by UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization - and the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations. The 2010 session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development runs through 14 May. Read more about the statement, "Rethinking Prosperity: Forging Alternatives to a Culture of Consumerism" here.


DAN PINK

How much can you believe in God? Enough to live for 1 day without food? Or maybe to live for 2... or even 3 days without food? Really?! Can you live 3 days without food? What about 4,5,6,7,..,25,26,27 ! What would a man learn from such an experience?!
 
 "If his ordeal taught him anything, it is that hope springs eternal, he says, adding: "Those who are sick should have the courage to live and pray to God, and those who are healthy need to cherish their life and to pray. Now I know that I must live life to the best I can each day."

How can it be?! Such a beautiful and inspiring words.

Buried for 27 days: Haiti earthquake survivor's amazing story

Why do we put ourselves inside a box!? When we believe we are a certain person ,  we just limit ourselves, we put ourselves inside a box. I'm an introverted person..., why?! Nobody is stopping you from being extroverted! When you take a decision, let’s say when you decide that you want to do this or that in life, you just become blind to some other opportunities. Inside you, there are thousand, millions, an infinite number of possibilities! Why do we limit ourselves to just a few or even one option in life?! Seeing the video below I was inspired to think that we are just like that, one thousand of selves. I'm not just one option made up by my ego! I'm everything that comes to me, my thousand selves are here to seize the occasion!

About the video:

Guan Yin is the bodhisattva of compassion, revered by Buddhists as the Goddess of Mercy
"As long as you are kind and there is love in your heart
A thousand hands will naturally come to your aid
As long as you are kind and there is love in your heart
You will reach out with a thousand hands to help others"

That is a nice way to approach life:)

Oh, I've just heard this song on radio, the word "ego" got my attention, and then I was surprised by the rest:  "Walk a mile in my shoes / And before you abuse, criticize and accuse / Walk a mile in my shoes".
I know how hard it is not to criticize everything around you, especially when we are all surrounded by this world full of problems, maybe next time when you will be tempted to criticize, you will sing this song! Before you start listening the song I want to share these quotes with you:

"O Son of Being! How couldst thou forget thine own faults and busy thyself with the faults of others? Whoso doeth this is accursed of Me."
"O Son of Man! Breathe not the sins of others so long as thou art thyself a sinner. Shouldst thou transgress this command, accursed wouldst thou be, and to this I bear witness."
Baha'u'llah: Hidden Words


I got the lyrics for you, so enjoy!
"If I could be you / And you could be me / For just one hour / If you could find a way / To get inside / Each other's mind / If you could see you / Trough my eyes / Instead of your ego / I believe you'd be /
Surprised to see / That you've been blind / Now the whole world / You see around you / Is just a reflection / And of karma / Says you be / Just what you saw / So unless you / Lived your life / Of total perfection / You gotta be careful / Of every stone / That you should throw / Have you ever spend the day / Throwing stones / At one another / Cause I don't think / Or wear my heat / The same way you do / Well I maybe / Come in people / But I'm still your brother / And when you strike out / Trying to hurt me / [Its a burning fuse] / Walk a mile in my shoes / Walk a mile in my shoes / And before you abuse, criticize and accuse / Walk a mile in my shoes / There are people / On reservations / And out in the ghetto's / And brother there / Before the [grace] of God / Go you and I / If I only / Had the wings / Of a little angel / Don't you know i'd fly / To the top of the mountain / And then I'd cry / Walk a mile in my shoes / Walk a mile in my shoes / And before you abuse, criticize and accuse / Walk a mile in my shoes"

And a second song, same band, also interesting lyrics :)


Coldcut - Mr Nichols  "Lyrics here"

About Happiness :)
 I want to share whith you what my thoughts are about the subject, happiness.
Even thou my process of discovering what happiness is and how to find it involved reading the baha'i  writings first and after some time, in fact years, finding these videos, I will put first the videos and then some things that got me inspired from the baha'i writings, about this subject.
Enjoy!

Srikumar Rao says we spend most of our lives learning to be unhappy, even as we strive for happiness. He says how to break free of the "I'd be happy if ..." mental model, and embrace our hard-wired happiness. Wich implies that we have happiness within our self.

 Biochemist turned Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard says we can train our minds in habits of well-being, to generate a true sense of serenity and fulfillment.

“Happiness consists of two kinds; physical and spiritual. The physical happiness is limited; its utmost duration is one day, one month, one year. It hath no result. Spiritual happiness is eternal and unfathomable. This kind of happiness appeareth in one’s soul with the love of God and suffereth one to attain to the virtues and perfections of the world of humanity. Therefore, endeavor as much as thou canst in order to illumine the lamp of thy heart with the light of love.”

(Compilations, Baha’i Scriptures, p. 472)

“As to spiritual happiness, this is the true basis of the life of man because life is created for happiness, not for sorrow…This happiness is the fundamental basis from which man is created, worlds are originated, the contigent beings have existence and the world of God appears like unto the appearance of the sun at mid-day. This happiness is but the love of God.”

(Abdu’l-Baha, Star of the West, Vol. VII:16, 31 December 1916, p. 163)

“For what pleasure can compare the pleasure of bringing joy and hope to other hearts. The more we make others happy the greater will be our own happiness and the deeper our sense of having served humanity.”

(Shoghi Effendi, The Light of Divine Guidance v I, p. 45)

" O SON OF MAN!
Rejoice in the gladness of thine heart, that thou mayest be worthy to meet Me and to mirror forth My beauty."

(Baha'u'llah,  Hidden Words, )

"What is SoulPancake?

SoulPancake is more of a mission than a Web site. It's a MOVEMENT to wrestle with and chew on LIFE'S BIG QUESTIONS. It's a way to EXPLORE why we believe the things that we believe. It's a place for you to TALK about your soul and the existence of God. It's a space to ENGAGE in art, philosophy, creativity, truth, and beauty. And ultimately, SoulPancake is a community of people who are digging DEEPER to figure out what it means to be human and to experience this rich, strange, difficult, and awesome journey called life."
Here is one of the latest question from www.soulpancake.com

List 5 things you can’t believe that other people believe in.

I would say:
1. Politicians
2. Hell and heaven
3. The Media
4. Clerics
5. Comercials
Any way, you can go on the website and register to answer to this question or have fun answering tons of other interesting LIFE'S BIG QUESTIONS and even  make some of your own for the others :) SoulPancake / SP Content / Ludicrous Belief List

Where can a life of honest work lead to in a modern contemporary society?! How hard do you need to search to find other examples?! Do we need to change something?!

 
 

 documentary made by Diana Deleanu  "Humoresque"

The Ego is the Animal within Us

Did you know how dangerous the Ego is?! The battle from yesterday, between  me and ego, is over. I've lost. I hope I will not lose the war! 

"When you wish to reflect upon or consider a matter you consult something within you. You say, shall I do it, or shall I not do it? Is it better to do this or abandon it? Whom do you consult? Who is within you deciding this question? Surely there is a distinct power, a distinct ego. Were it not distinct from your ego you would not be consulting it. It is greater than the faculty of thought. It is your spirit which teaches you, which inspires and decides upon matters."
"The other self is the ego, the dark, animalistic heritage each one of us has, the lower nature that can develop into a monster of selfishness, brutality, lust and so on."

"Life is a constant struggle, not only against forces around us, but above all against our own 'ego'. We can never afford to rest on our oars, for if we do, we soon see ourselves carried down stream again."
 (Baha'i writings)

So, a new day is starting, we have a battle to win...

Detachment!
First post :) nice numbers today 02 21 2010 or 02212010.
My body has numbers: 1,014,076,800 seconds or 16,901,280 minutes or 281,688 hour, time is interesting, can it be measured in something else than numbers?! People are counting everything, friends, books, money, cars, houses, their own kids, vacations, food, exams, free days, job days... Can you count life?! Can we be detached from numbers? Enjoy your life, don't count it.