[dailykos.

thinktwice comments on Jan 28, 2019:

I listened to that interview and what he said was when he talked about the issues with Hispanics, he often heard people give the argument that they did not want brown grandbabies...it was not his view...he was speaking as to what others said to him...go back and look at the interview...that article ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

exactly

Wow ... so much hate

stinkeye_a comments on Jan 28, 2019:

Its easy: just keep that kind of stuff for the special interest groups--where the membership is self-selected and the content is curated--like "Dharma Caf; Group", forex. The general boards are no place for topics like universal consciousness (not on a site like this, anyway) where an ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

I am sure you're right.

Wow ... so much hate

wordywalt comments on Jan 28, 2019:

The problem you face is that most people equate the idea of universal consciousness with belief in a supreme being. I tend to agree with them. To me, an existential point of view is more realistic.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

Nope. No deity.

Wow ... so much hate

Stephanie99 comments on Jan 28, 2019:

A significant number of us have come to atheism through evidence based thinking. There is no evidence for universal consciousness, nor any mechanism for it known to science. That's why you got the response that you did.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

I left the southern baptist church in the early 80's and my faith was left right behind with it. For SO many years I had no faith in anything. Then my life fell apart as did my health and I was hanging on by a thread with no hope. I remembered a movie I'd seen with Bill Murray years before based on a book by m. somerset maugham - The Razor's Edge. That guy was seeking guidance from rock bottom as well. I followed what he did and found the vedas and upanishads. In secular buddhism I found faith again in the natural cycle of life. This is how I am mentally able to take that last step of acceptance to cross the mind/matter barrier you guys are stuck on. The science leads you "unobstructedly" to the precipice but you do have to take that last step yourself. I will gladly admit that. Everyone has to find their personal path there. namaste damyata datta dayadhvam

Wow ... so much hate

WilliamFleming comments on Jan 28, 2019:

kauva, I am on board with your ideas about universal consciousness. The concept goes by various names, but the general idea has been espoused by many prominent physicists, and I expect that universal consciousness will play a prominent role in the future of science. Keep on being yourself and ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

thank you. your comments are always appreciated! namaste

Is morality "subjective"?

JeffMesser comments on Jan 28, 2019:

morality is a flawed concept. social acceptance is the better tool.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

@SimonCyrene unfortunately she went crazy from dementia and died such that I could never make peace with her. that was a hard wound to heal.

Wow ... so much hate

DenoPenno comments on Jan 28, 2019:

Most people have some form of hate. I am only alive today because I have managed to get rid of most of mine. Hate eats you alive and destroys you. In extremes it can make you destroy yourself and others. Live and let live is a good way to go.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

I've been going to counseling for a year now and we're working on getting rid of anger. I had a lot of it. Agree with you 100%.

Well it looks like Trump is ready to shut down the governmet again on Feb.

david75090 comments on Jan 28, 2019:

I think Trump is posturing for his base. Talking tough. He's virtually assured he'll lose in 2020, if he runs, and he's cost even more Republicans their jobs in 2020. I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to shut down the government, again, but this time, I think McConnell steps in and they pass a ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

I think you're overly generous with mitch but I hope you're right.

Is morality "subjective"?

JeffMesser comments on Jan 28, 2019:

morality is a flawed concept. social acceptance is the better tool.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

@SimonCyrene my mother made it a point to tell me every week how much she regretted giving birth to me.

Is morality "subjective"?

JeffMesser comments on Jan 28, 2019:

morality is a flawed concept. social acceptance is the better tool.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

@Denker i have never found love and morality to go hand in hand.

comment on my theory

Triphid comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Sorry there, kauva, but your 'theory' makes about as much sense as putting flyscreen doors on a submarine.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

@Triphid your objection is that you havent seen it stated by others? LOL How completely unoriginal.

Wow ... so much hate

genessa comments on Jan 28, 2019:

no, it didn't trigger insecurity or anger. it was just silly. g

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

@genessa I asked 3 people in the room and the general consensus was you're rude.

Peace man ... follow me

genessa comments on Jan 28, 2019:

no thank you. by the way, you called someone's comment dismissive and insulting. i don't mean to be insulting, but yes, i am dismissive, openly dismissive, of this kind of stuff. universal consciousness is not where it's at. yes, i dismiss that. g

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

@genessa as long as I dont know everything I continue searching. I guess that doesnt apply to you.

Peace man ... follow me

powder comments on Jan 28, 2019:

I like Buddha. Mainly because Buddha said something like "Don't believe claims to know the answers to spiritual questions because no one knows, not even me. Belief is your own, work it out yourself" And thus, I follow no one.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

@powder you know what you know? wow. some keen insight there. glad to see you are so knowledgeable abouit everything that you no longer need to learn.

Wow ... so much hate

genessa comments on Jan 28, 2019:

no, it didn't trigger insecurity or anger. it was just silly. g

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

that was rude. you dont have to be rude and immature.

Peace man ... follow me

genessa comments on Jan 28, 2019:

no thank you. by the way, you called someone's comment dismissive and insulting. i don't mean to be insulting, but yes, i am dismissive, openly dismissive, of this kind of stuff. universal consciousness is not where it's at. yes, i dismiss that. g

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

how do you know? have you tried it?

Peace man ... follow me

kiramea comments on Jan 28, 2019:

And the people here make fun of me because I believe in the paranormal. Better that than some of this new age crap.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

new age? the vedas are among the oldest written documents on earth and hindu is the oldest relgion. so "new age" would be whatever it is you're sellin'.

Peace man ... follow me

powder comments on Jan 28, 2019:

I like Buddha. Mainly because Buddha said something like "Don't believe claims to know the answers to spiritual questions because no one knows, not even me. Belief is your own, work it out yourself" And thus, I follow no one.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

@powder sorry, the upanishads were specifically written to be reference and not ritualistic. try again sunshine.

Peace man ... follow me

powder comments on Jan 28, 2019:

I like Buddha. Mainly because Buddha said something like "Don't believe claims to know the answers to spiritual questions because no one knows, not even me. Belief is your own, work it out yourself" And thus, I follow no one.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

everybody has their own path. i only offer direction from my experience and reality. namaste damyata datta dayadhvam

Peace man ... follow me

FatherOfNyx comments on Jan 28, 2019:

If we are all just part of one consciousness.. then you really don't need to talk about it. If there is someone who doesn't believe we are one consciousness, that's just the one consciousness doing what it does. You don't need to practice any sort of belief in it, cause no matter what you do, you'll...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 28, 2019:

I agree. You dont need to convert anyone. I am nearing the end of my life and have faced death a few times. It's not a matter of gratification. It helps me and I wished to share. thats all. namaste damyata datta dayadhvam

Peace man ... follow me

nicknotes comments on Jan 27, 2019:

That's really deep...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

it's very peaceful.

Peace man ... follow me

stinkeye_a comments on Jan 27, 2019:

@Quarm needs to see this :)

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

sorry I dont know who that is

comment on my theory

Triphid comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Sorry there, kauva, but your 'theory' makes about as much sense as putting flyscreen doors on a submarine.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

and your objection was as useless as a nuke on a diesel boat. how about giving reasons instead of complaints.

Very disappointed lately.

JeffMesser comments on Jan 27, 2019:

keep in mind that the subject you're breaching is close to the hearts of these people. so much so in fact that it threatens their personal security. this often sets the limbic system into gear and the pre-frontal cortext isn't even engaged. so all you get are those same thoughts gaining adrenaline ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

@jimmyjazz i understand but you dont have to be saying it in any particular way for it to set off their alarms. security is like 3rd on maslow's hierarchy and the threshold is pretty low.

comment on my theory

Pedrohbds comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Read the book Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. You will see that agriculture came relatively at the same time in middle east, China and Africa, this eliminating for a long range the war against other species. The book is very interesring.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

@Pedrohbds and how do they get past the ice age? in our last mini-ice age the agricultural beginnings happened as the hominids were driven closer to the equator and turned more omnivorous in those grassy fields. there's solid evidence to speculate agriculture beginning in the fertile crescent given the earliest cities found there. I know a lot of the chinese history and government and biology are kept from western eyes and the Smithsonian has been working with chinese scientists to conduct DNA testing to check for evidence that homo erectus populated those asian plains before homo sapien arrived and to see the DNA percentages of homo denisovan in their population. Plus, if homo erectus populated that area you're talking about a hominid that branched prior to homo heidelbergensis so the chinese could have archaic DNA (lesser mutated mitochondrial genome sequences) which could be helpful in genetic medicine.

Homosexuality: natural or not.

JeffMesser comments on Jan 27, 2019:

I suffer from low T and have actually had a "lesser" libido dating all the way back to my teens. I am hetero but I just dont have the raging hormones others seem to feel. never have. neither did my father or my grandfather. my biological children also had low hormonal levels and one, born my ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

@icolan I am sure you're right.

comment on my theory

Charlene comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Ummm .where's this Theory?..your rant is as close to utter ignorance as is possible without actually becoming racist..

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

@Charlene whatever. buh bye.

At the risk of upsetting gun owners, Have everyone noticed that we are having multiple murders ...

BD66 comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Murder rates have been falling steadily since the 1980's. The media is distorting the severity of gun violence in an attempt to circumvent the 2nd Amendment.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

@BD66 well I do have guns and I think you're wrong for the reasons stated above.

comment on my theory

stinkeye_a comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Good discussion here. I don't have much to add (mostly lurking to learn--"learking"? ), but I will mention this: after having read Barbara Kingsolver's *The Poisonwood Bible*, I must have fallen down a Google hole or something--I don't remember, but it's not in the book itself, I don't ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

oh thats certainly a good point. same for the native americans. the iroquois (i think it was) had a very advanced social system and also recognized 3 sexes as well as maintaining peace among various tribes for some time. I dont disagree with you there about "advancement" definitions. my actual context was trying to determine why african-americans have a stronger affinity for religious zealotry ... which is a racist question itself but the reasons that may be produced qualify the question to have actual significance.

comment on my theory

Pedrohbds comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Read the book Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. You will see that agriculture came relatively at the same time in middle east, China and Africa, this eliminating for a long range the war against other species. The book is very interesring.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

I will do that. a couple of others mentioned the same. thx!

comment on my theory

Charlene comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Ummm .where's this Theory?..your rant is as close to utter ignorance as is possible without actually becoming racist..

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

well your jackass opinion isn't appreciated anyway so bug off.

At the risk of upsetting gun owners, Have everyone noticed that we are having multiple murders ...

BD66 comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Murder rates have been falling steadily since the 1980's. The media is distorting the severity of gun violence in an attempt to circumvent the 2nd Amendment.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

@BD66 I dont believe the big conspiracy theory about the media having it in for you and your guns. first of all your view of the 2nd amendment is jaded and misinformed. but even moreso the media has more to gain by guns being out and about than restricting ownership. saying they're working against gun rights is silly. now that may be an eventual EFFECT to gun rights ... but declaring that as the motive is misinformed also.

comment on my theory

48thRonin comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Ummm ok for some reason humans who resided within tropical areas and by that I mean lower Central America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and the hundreds of other island inhabited by humans. That they peaked because they didn’t see any need for advancement or that because of ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

I think what's youre saying here is that those who had to battle for survival didnt develop socially or culturally. I agree with that and accept it into this proposition.

comment on my theory

THHA comments on Jan 27, 2019:

What blows that theory out of the water is that Egypt was a major player in the advance of civilization in early times. Egypt was not isolated as much as you might think, and remember that the major opponent to Roman imperialism was Carthage. Not only that, if you look at the Fertile Cresent AKA ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

thank you. I appreciate that!!

comment on my theory

t1nick comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Two things: what you posited was an hypothesis and not a theory. Two: Egypt wasnt isolated. It was just that the Nile River and Delta was the only place in Northern Africa where a large population could be supported. Egypts influrnce was felt all the way to India, across Greece and southern ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

no it's cool. I appreciate your thoughts!! I dont agree with you though about egypt not being isolated. the portion of africa that remained with no cities during egyptian reign proves my point. I believe egypt's proximity to the fertile crescent ties it to my theory.

Bill Maher Doubles Down on Comic Fans

JeffMesser comments on Jan 27, 2019:

There was nothing hilarious about it. Minutes earlier Maher railed on Bloomberg about criticizing those who choose to smoke marijuana. Then he himself turns around and ridicules those who choose to follow the myths they enjoyed as children. His lack of consistency belies a lack of understanding....

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

@LiterateHiker I am well aware of him being an atheist. My reference was to his movie "Religulous". Maybe I know more about him and this subject than you? Myths are myths whether told by story or picture. For anyone to poopoo either is close-minded and ignorant. Brilliant? hardly.

At the risk of upsetting gun owners, Have everyone noticed that we are having multiple murders ...

BD66 comments on Jan 27, 2019:

Murder rates have been falling steadily since the 1980's. The media is distorting the severity of gun violence in an attempt to circumvent the 2nd Amendment.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 27, 2019:

thats bullshit.

I think I have figured out the big conflict with christianity

Fernapple comments on Jan 25, 2019:

Unfortunately his message, (if he existed ) was not just love and acceptance. That's just the religious cherry picking.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 26, 2019:

@Fernapple I disagree with you.

I think I have figured out the big conflict with christianity

Doubting comments on Jan 25, 2019:

Their message is manifestly not one of 'acceptance' if you mean by that term acceptance of all lifestyles. Their doctrine of sin makes many lifestyles unacceptable for those who are converts. Indeed, they must 'repent' of those lifestyles. Love and acceptance as you use those terms are not ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 26, 2019:

sorry dude ... but your response just typifies the problem.

I think I have figured out the big conflict with christianity

WilliamFleming comments on Jan 26, 2019:

I fully agree. Christianity as an organized religion is a contrived thing, imposed on the world by zealous and egotistical organizers who had little understanding of the teachings of Jesus.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 26, 2019:

damn straight

I think I have figured out the big conflict with christianity

think-beyond comments on Jan 25, 2019:

We need Christ to be separated from Christianity.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 25, 2019:

that was my thought also. people who want to be like christ should stay away from christianity and the buy-bull.

I think I have figured out the big conflict with christianity

Fernapple comments on Jan 25, 2019:

Unfortunately his message, (if he existed ) was not just love and acceptance. That's just the religious cherry picking.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 25, 2019:

@Fernapple based on what ... that book of lies? anyone who thinks that the buy-bull is anything other than a bunch of man made lies is fooling themselves and/or has failed to study religious history. Athanasius' actions at the 1st and 2nd councils at Nicea illustrate quite dramatically that it is MAN who controlled what was and is in that book. If Jesus did exist then the logical message to derive from the common roots of all the books, even the "lost ones", describing his teaching would be nothing more than love and acceptance. All the other stuff is made by man.

I think I have figured out the big conflict with christianity

Fernapple comments on Jan 25, 2019:

Unfortunately his message, (if he existed ) was not just love and acceptance. That's just the religious cherry picking.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 25, 2019:

actually I think it was.

I want to back to Antarctica so bad. It consumes me. I may never know happiness again.

JeffMesser comments on Jan 24, 2019:

ok, we got it, you went to antarctica. next time you need attention just say that. it saves the stories and mental gymnastics.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 24, 2019:

@Lucifer I was honest in mine.

Democrats hate Trump because they love this country

maturin1919 comments on Jan 22, 2019:

I think we need to stop pretending either major party, as they are, cares about anything other than gaining and maintaining power. It's not about the good of the citizenry, it's about power.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 22, 2019:

I am a democrat and I most certainly care about more than power et al

Have you seen the movie "Boy Erased"?

MerlinZap comments on Jan 21, 2019:

" The lead "converter", Mr. Sikes, is married to another man and living in Texas these days." Because,...of course, isn't that what religion is all about? Projecting an individual's sins onto someone else.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 21, 2019:

I am in my early 50's and I must say that throughout my life WITHOUT FAIL the persons who seem to be the most dead set against homosexuality are homosexuals themselves. It's not karma - it's denial.

Donald Trump has been compromised by Russia - The Boston Globe

JeffMesser comments on Jan 20, 2019:

why dont you copy and paste instead of expecting us to subscribe?

JeffMesser replies on Jan 20, 2019:

@snytiger6 i appreciaye you trying but there i no close option on the top left for me.

Donald Trump has been compromised by Russia - The Boston Globe

JeffMesser comments on Jan 20, 2019:

why dont you copy and paste instead of expecting us to subscribe?

JeffMesser replies on Jan 20, 2019:

@Serenityseeker meh wont let me

Working on vibration now.

Denker comments on Jan 18, 2019:

Not all Buddhist communities are so close-minded... recently I came across an article in Lions Roar about mixing psychedelics with Buddhist meditation practice, and read therein of some groups mixing Ayahuasca with a retreat. Which took open minded to a whole another level. ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 18, 2019:

thats good to hear. I will assume they are neither from thailand nor sri lanka.

Buddhists run me off because I believe in collective consciousness and Hindus run me off because I ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jan 16, 2019:

Well, I collective conciousness may be your truth but it's not mine and thus not the truth. Though I'm sorry to hear that Buddhist ran you off as you say because of this. After all, Buddhism is very open in accepting all people of all beliefs as long as you don't violate their fundamental tenets ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 17, 2019:

@AntaresRose a wise decision. it would have annoyed me as well. I'd prefer we were all just referred to as people and when it came to the differences we had a self-deprecating sense of humor.

Buddhists run me off because I believe in collective consciousness and Hindus run me off because I ...

WilliamFleming comments on Jan 17, 2019:

I am especially open to the idea of “reconciling religious beliefs with science and history and quantum physics and sociology and psychology and biology and archaeology”. When you do that you are searching deeply within for understanding and truth, even if it is currently only intuitive truth. ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 17, 2019:

I had always considered karma to be just another strand that wraps up with us ... but placing the karmic leftovers on the actual time-space itself fits the model better. Karma's another one they run me out over - especially the buddhists from afar. I contend that karma is the momentum of something tending to go the way it is currently going due to all the other forces around it. Kinda like "if you run with dogs you'll get fleas". Instead they like to view it as some mysterious force of cosmic justice - which I find silly and unable to "see". The british collective consciousness studies are interesting.

Some self/no self thoughts I try envision things in pictures.

MissKathleen comments on Jan 16, 2019:

I think this is my grandson, using a different identity...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 16, 2019:

LOL no. my grandmas are all dead. have been for years.

Buddhists run me off because I believe in collective consciousness and Hindus run me off because I ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jan 16, 2019:

Well, I collective conciousness may be your truth but it's not mine and thus not the truth. Though I'm sorry to hear that Buddhist ran you off as you say because of this. After all, Buddhism is very open in accepting all people of all beliefs as long as you don't violate their fundamental tenets ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 16, 2019:

ya know, I take that back about jewish folk. they're actually more open-minded than that. I am just thinking about my mom.

Buddhists run me off because I believe in collective consciousness and Hindus run me off because I ...

TheMiddleWay comments on Jan 16, 2019:

Well, I collective conciousness may be your truth but it's not mine and thus not the truth. Though I'm sorry to hear that Buddhist ran you off as you say because of this. After all, Buddhism is very open in accepting all people of all beliefs as long as you don't violate their fundamental tenets ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 16, 2019:

they are not nearly so open minded as you claim. In the last few years I have found them to be every bit as close minded as any southern baptist or jew or arab or catholic. especially the sri lankans.

Buddhists run me off because I believe in collective consciousness and Hindus run me off because I ...

Brerrost comments on Jan 16, 2019:

I love my community of Zen Buddhists. Probably more then half are atheists, but also Christians, Jews, Hindu, Sikh, and Pagans also are members of the Sangha. I thought I would have problems, I kind of had a prejudice about Christians, but these are wonderful people.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 16, 2019:

that would be neat to have so many differing viewpoints.

Buddhists run me off because I believe in collective consciousness and Hindus run me off because I ...

mordant comments on Jan 16, 2019:

I don't know how you'd reconcile anything based on religious faith with the basically opposite epistemology of science. It's oil and water.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 16, 2019:

a scientifically viable explanation for things they consider to be miracles or similar reality

Buddhists run me off because I believe in collective consciousness and Hindus run me off because I ...

mzee comments on Jan 16, 2019:

Of course there are!

JeffMesser replies on Jan 16, 2019:

is there like a group name for them?

Trump’s latest judicial nominee says rape victims are partly responsible if they have been ...

JeffMesser comments on Jan 15, 2019:

if they're getting drunk then they're OBVIOUSLY asking for "it" ... right?

JeffMesser replies on Jan 15, 2019:

@Cutiebeauty no idea. I was high when I typed that.

Trump’s latest judicial nominee says rape victims are partly responsible if they have been ...

JeffMesser comments on Jan 15, 2019:

if they're getting drunk then they're OBVIOUSLY asking for "it" ... right?

JeffMesser replies on Jan 15, 2019:

@Cutiebeauty I come from poverty. Being a tfb around my haunts would result in ill will.

Trump’s latest judicial nominee says rape victims are partly responsible if they have been ...

JeffMesser comments on Jan 15, 2019:

if they're getting drunk then they're OBVIOUSLY asking for "it" ... right?

JeffMesser replies on Jan 15, 2019:

@Cutiebeauty were you just looking for ill will or what?

Trump’s latest judicial nominee says rape victims are partly responsible if they have been ...

JeffMesser comments on Jan 15, 2019:

if they're getting drunk then they're OBVIOUSLY asking for "it" ... right?

JeffMesser replies on Jan 15, 2019:

@Cutiebeauty and what is a tfb supposed to be? why do people just make up acronyms??

Some self/no self thoughts I try envision things in pictures.

skado comments on Jan 15, 2019:

Can you get me some of that? ;)

JeffMesser replies on Jan 15, 2019:

@skado no offense taken at all. I appreciate the venue!! namaste

Some self/no self thoughts I try envision things in pictures.

skado comments on Jan 15, 2019:

Can you get me some of that? ;)

JeffMesser replies on Jan 15, 2019:

it wasn't drug induced. this time. i'm not above getting high though.

Some self/no self thoughts I try envision things in pictures.

WilliamFleming comments on Jan 15, 2019:

The imagery comes first. There was Michael Faraday, a brilliant scientist with little education in mathematics who was able to picture electromagnetic fields. Enter Maxwell, who understood those images and wrote his famous field equations. Keep doing what you are doing. Some of us appreciate your ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 15, 2019:

it's so nice to see someone understand. you can't imagine how crazy I apparently sound to my family and friends and professional colleagues.

Is it better to have loved and lost, or better to not have loved at all?​

JeffMesser comments on Jan 14, 2019:

according to the Buddha - never love.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 15, 2019:

@nicknotes he would agree with you

Some self/no self thoughts I try envision things in pictures.

hippydog comments on Jan 15, 2019:

Bookmarked to read later. As i could not grok this.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 15, 2019:

I dont know what grok is. I know it's hard to take in and I am sorry. I try to just write it as I see it and feel it but that doesn't always translate well to words. namaste

Some self/no self thoughts I try envision things in pictures.

WilliamFleming comments on Jan 15, 2019:

The imagery comes first. There was Michael Faraday, a brilliant scientist with little education in mathematics who was able to picture electromagnetic fields. Enter Maxwell, who understood those images and wrote his famous field equations. Keep doing what you are doing. Some of us appreciate your ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 15, 2019:

thank you very much I truly appreciate that. had no idea about faraday's story. very enlightening!!

Some self/no self thoughts I try envision things in pictures.

MissKathleen comments on Jan 15, 2019:

You forgot to mention the vibration and the frequencies, but otherwise, yeah.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 15, 2019:

oh you're exactly right! I am still trying to fit that in. I wonder if vibration isn't the one sensation our consciousness registers absent all of this stuff our body does for us. I havent figured that one out yet. I've been stuck on this question of when and why members of the genus homo suddenly became an adequate vessel for consciousness versus a theory that the same consciousness flows through all things we're just the only ones able to communicate it to one another and pass the knowledge down effectively.

Saying "no" to Tulsi Gabbard

Julie808 comments on Jan 14, 2019:

And while Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has "apologized" and says, "I regret the positions I took in the past, and the things I said" she still doesn't state her actual beliefs about LGBT people, nor does she say that her past positions were wrong. Sure she regrets them because of the political ramifications ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 14, 2019:

@Julie808 my fellow democrats get rather angry at me over it but I refuse to budge anymore on gay rights. I had friends in the 80's who died of AIDS and wouldnt even try to get medical assistance thanks to the navy's policies. My best friend was one of those and he was a wonderful person. He didnt deserve to be treated that way and I wont ever sully his memory.

Saying "no" to Tulsi Gabbard

Julie808 comments on Jan 14, 2019:

And while Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has "apologized" and says, "I regret the positions I took in the past, and the things I said" she still doesn't state her actual beliefs about LGBT people, nor does she say that her past positions were wrong. Sure she regrets them because of the political ramifications ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 14, 2019:

the religious freedom thing annoys me as well.

Experiencing the Ratha Kalpana

CallMeDave comments on Jan 14, 2019:

"I was meditating" and "I was thinking" are mutually contradictory. One might meditate, or one might think, but not both.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 14, 2019:

@CallMeDave so in the future I should assume that you WERE exposed to it but just too daft to make the connection? I was giving you the benefit of the doubt. You did get mixed into the context of westerners telling those from eastern lineages that they are incorrect and for that I apologize. That's why I enlisted the caveat. But all roads lead to Rome. namaste

Experiencing the Ratha Kalpana

CallMeDave comments on Jan 14, 2019:

"I was meditating" and "I was thinking" are mutually contradictory. One might meditate, or one might think, but not both.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 14, 2019:

@CallMeDave maybe you should apply that criticism to your own casual initial remarks? I was trying to explain, you were trying to limit.

Experiencing the Ratha Kalpana

CallMeDave comments on Jan 14, 2019:

"I was meditating" and "I was thinking" are mutually contradictory. One might meditate, or one might think, but not both.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 14, 2019:

@CallMeDave there are different kinds of meditation dave. It's unfortunate that when buddhist practice migrated to the west certain accompanying aspects were emphasized to the point where the entire subject became skewed and near unrecognizable. I dont want to curtail your personal experiences or interfere with your own enjoyment because we all follow the path we discover that works for us. So please don't take this in a dismissive fashion because I support zen efforts and practices. There is just more to it than what you have apparently seen or been exposed to.

Experiencing the Ratha Kalpana

CallMeDave comments on Jan 14, 2019:

"I was meditating" and "I was thinking" are mutually contradictory. One might meditate, or one might think, but not both.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 14, 2019:

thats not true at all.

Five Forces Driving the Rise of Fascism in 2019

TheMiddleWay comments on Jan 13, 2019:

Surely the headline should read "the rise of hyperbolic rhetoric in discussing opposing views to my own personal politics" given that none of the examples are actual fascists, neo or otherwise ?

JeffMesser replies on Jan 13, 2019:

@TheMiddleWay you think fascism is trumpeted in with a parade and a big event? no. it happens incrementally. there's no magic threshold. so all the examples are indeed valid. it's not like POOF! YOU'RE FASCIST NOW!!

Five Forces Driving the Rise of Fascism in 2019

TheMiddleWay comments on Jan 13, 2019:

Surely the headline should read "the rise of hyperbolic rhetoric in discussing opposing views to my own personal politics" given that none of the examples are actual fascists, neo or otherwise ?

JeffMesser replies on Jan 13, 2019:

@TheMiddleWay just because they havent committed genocide or executed their political opponets doesnt mean they aren't fascists. Hell, some still consider pinochet a hero. they are most certainly fascists because they use nationalism or authoritarianism or some other means to usurp the sovereignty of the people for personal or corporate (not egalitarian) purposes. If you can't see the horrors in what Dutarte is doing in the PI then I question if you're actually paying attention to the world. Same for the others listed and especially trump. He's pandering to an aristocracy and using classic fascist methods. the same methods used by mussolini, idi amin, hitler ... 1. keeping family members in high ranking places 2. pushing down education goals 3. placing loyalty above right 4. denying the press 5. villainizing discrete minorities ALL the same methods. of course they are fascist. You are wrong. sorry.

Bette Midler's political tweets are a hoot. Here is a gender bended Trump [twitter.com]

JeffMesser comments on Jan 13, 2019:

the question that now sits before us ... is where the hell is her clitoris!

JeffMesser replies on Jan 13, 2019:

@cava you havent see "The Rose"? inconceivable.

Five Forces Driving the Rise of Fascism in 2019

TheMiddleWay comments on Jan 13, 2019:

Surely the headline should read "the rise of hyperbolic rhetoric in discussing opposing views to my own personal politics" given that none of the examples are actual fascists, neo or otherwise ?

JeffMesser replies on Jan 13, 2019:

yes they were.

Bette Midler's political tweets are a hoot. Here is a gender bended Trump [twitter.com]

JeffMesser comments on Jan 13, 2019:

the question that now sits before us ... is where the hell is her clitoris!

JeffMesser replies on Jan 13, 2019:

@cava my mom useta play that "The Rose" album constantly and belt out "Midnight in Memphis" for all she was worth. She was actually pretty good. that song still gives me chills when she does it.

Evangelical group says it's getting 'death threats' after leader's lynching bill remarks

MLinoge comments on Jan 13, 2019:

Why are they complaining? The sooner they die the sooner Jesus Lord Almighty Superstar will cart them off to their own planet.... or something equally ridiculous. And, isn't that the dream? Perhaps now that there is some actual push-back on their bullshit there will be less mewling about the "war ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 13, 2019:

exactly. dont think of them as death threats ... think of them as an invitation to meet your Lord.

How did I not hear the words?

JeffMesser comments on Jan 13, 2019:

I just keep saying "watermelon". the words are secondary to me. try focusing on the lyrics to this one ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB7cuA-fv4w

JeffMesser replies on Jan 13, 2019:

@BeeHappy he says he picked the words for their shape. it drove me insane at first when I heard some of those words and I was like "what?" you never hear about Cypriots in song.

My friend Andrew introduced me to Buddhism.

JeffMesser comments on Jan 13, 2019:

tsk tsk tsk no self. your friend introduced you to HINDU! namaste I am working on some thoughts that karmic "resultants" that would seem to doom us to rebirth actually provide the map upon which future consciousness in others in your universe travel.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 13, 2019:

@stinkeye_a cool beans. did you check out Doidge's "The brain that changes"? the biology that RW talks about is expounded upon. it's fascinating. it and eagleman's incognito are excellent. right now I am reading adam rutherford's "a brief history of everyone who ever lived". I am trying to locate the point where our minds achieved reflective consciousness and what bio changes sparked it. plus the idea that denisovans might have been white skin, fair haired 9 foot giants intrigues me.

My friend Andrew introduced me to Buddhism.

JeffMesser comments on Jan 13, 2019:

tsk tsk tsk no self. your friend introduced you to HINDU! namaste I am working on some thoughts that karmic "resultants" that would seem to doom us to rebirth actually provide the map upon which future consciousness in others in your universe travel.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 13, 2019:

@stinkeye_a good pickup! I really enjoyed the gita as a story and the insight provided. the upanishads meant much more to me and I use the dhammapadda like I do koans. did you check out Why Buddhism is True? very insightful and helps combine history and biology and sociology - which has been my goal the last 11 years.

My friend Andrew introduced me to Buddhism.

JeffMesser comments on Jan 13, 2019:

tsk tsk tsk no self. your friend introduced you to HINDU! namaste I am working on some thoughts that karmic "resultants" that would seem to doom us to rebirth actually provide the map upon which future consciousness in others in your universe travel.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 13, 2019:

@SleeplessInTexas I am just giving you a hard time. we all follow our own path. I'd urge you to check out easwaran eaknath's Upanishads translation. The katha and brihadaranyanka upanishads provide some amazing insight. da da da

I solved the universe again today

racocn8 comments on Jan 8, 2019:

Universal Consciousness may exist as a property akin to Dark Energy, or as an aspect of one of the dimensions we cannot perceive. This Universal Conscious may well be entirely mundane, like Time, a mere property that completes the equations, or serves as a dimensional placeholder. In other words, ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 8, 2019:

thats a good point.

I solved the universe again today

sfvpool comments on Jan 8, 2019:

You could test this theory. Just find a highway with lots of semi-trucks traveling at 60+ MPH. Then, at the last second before one reaches you, jump in front of it. Check back with me after the experiment and let me know if your theory is correct. In today's culture, I must mention that I ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 8, 2019:

@sfvpool it harms the body our consciousness is filtered thru. IF you lose your arm are you still you?? we are more than our body but it's a part of us in this time-space reference.

I solved the universe again today

sfvpool comments on Jan 8, 2019:

You could test this theory. Just find a highway with lots of semi-trucks traveling at 60+ MPH. Then, at the last second before one reaches you, jump in front of it. Check back with me after the experiment and let me know if your theory is correct. In today's culture, I must mention that I ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 8, 2019:

and how does that test my theory?

I solved the universe again today

Elganned comments on Jan 8, 2019:

Sounds like New Age Woo to me.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 8, 2019:

it's hindu

Does anyone else do this?

ZantiMisfit comments on Jan 7, 2019:

I put Frank's Red Hot on mine. And I end up putting it on a lot of stuff :)

JeffMesser replies on Jan 7, 2019:

yeah I knew dudes in the navy who liked that. I got hooked on hot sauce with vinegar by that cheap old vinegar and pepper hot sauce in grade school. it would be a clear liquid vinegar with either a pepper in it or some of those red pepper flakes. alwys put that on spinach and those gravy covered beef patties.

Does anyone else do this?

orange_girl comments on Jan 7, 2019:

Hmmm . . . I'm skeptical, but I may try it. I don't use sweet dressings, though, so it may not work. I was surprised to discover a "Buffalo chicken dip" recipe that called for hot sauce and I love it! Thanks for the suggestion.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 7, 2019:

I think "spicy" is complimentary to just about every taste save bitter because it's actually the tongue's pain receptors at work. I dont think I am a supertaster so my tastes are pretty standard.

The Loony Tunes Deal With Science, But Not As We Know It! The United States is supposed to be one...

Amisja comments on Jan 3, 2019:

John, my grandpa used to say, "Empty vessels make most noise". As in these are a very loud and vocal MINORITY. To people not in USA, it can appear alarming. Believe me though, the vast majority of Americans are sensible pragmatical people.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 3, 2019:

"the vast majority of Americans are sensible pragmatical people." I dont believe that any more.

Anyone else study comparative religious history?

Triphid comments on Jan 2, 2019:

I have a Doctorate in Theology and Comparative Modern Religions, the bible ( Goat-herders Guide to the Galaxy) consists of the first 5 books (pentateuch) lifted directly from the Hebrew Torah, the rest being little more than an amalgamation of myths and legends plagiarised from different cultures ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 2, 2019:

@Triphid oh yeah i have. I can tell you all that we know about those peoples. I was especially intrigued with the idea that denisovans mixed with a superarchaic homo erectus around there. you have a ton of myths about giants and white haired white skinned sailors and red headed giants and lizard looking people. a lot of the same stuff that you hear about in the book of enoch and the vedas and the koran. very cool stuff.

Anyone else study comparative religious history?

Triphid comments on Jan 2, 2019:

I have a Doctorate in Theology and Comparative Modern Religions, the bible ( Goat-herders Guide to the Galaxy) consists of the first 5 books (pentateuch) lifted directly from the Hebrew Torah, the rest being little more than an amalgamation of myths and legends plagiarised from different cultures ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 2, 2019:

right now I've been looking for a good narrative to describe the way china's cultural/social/religious evolution happened in isolation from the rest of asia and europe. if the concurrent evolution theory of homo erectus holds true then those far eastern myths and beliefs may far predate the vedas and also predate sanskrit.

Anyone else study comparative religious history?

Triphid comments on Jan 2, 2019:

I have a Doctorate in Theology and Comparative Modern Religions, the bible ( Goat-herders Guide to the Galaxy) consists of the first 5 books (pentateuch) lifted directly from the Hebrew Torah, the rest being little more than an amalgamation of myths and legends plagiarised from different cultures ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 2, 2019:

YES! You're darn right it is!! And the catechism wasn't even consistent. There are references made in Corinthians to Solomon's powers which is talking about his necromancer powers from the Psalms of Solomon. It has always floored me how the so-called orthodoxy just rejected long cherished textual compilations that had been used by some time by rather large communities. The book of Enoch comes to mind. It's all rather fascinating.

Is my brain weird?

BestWithoutGods comments on Jan 1, 2019:

It sounds to me like your brain is WIRED. :)

JeffMesser replies on Jan 1, 2019:

@BestWithoutGods oh I wasn't taking it bad. I thought maybe you were saying that people on drugs do that. That would be interesting and appreciated information. namaste

Is my brain weird?

Fernapple comments on Jan 1, 2019:

If your brain is not weird you should not be on this site. Thanks for the images they are now lodged in my brain too.

JeffMesser replies on Jan 1, 2019:

@rogueflyer thats a good point. I agree with you there. I am a buddhist in that regard but I don't believe in any deity.

Is my brain weird?

BestWithoutGods comments on Jan 1, 2019:

It sounds to me like your brain is WIRED. :)

JeffMesser replies on Jan 1, 2019:

wired? I might be high. that would be about it.

Is my brain weird?

stinkeye_a comments on Jan 1, 2019:

Not weird. I'm similar. I know I'm highly visual--as well as verbal--and am trying to work around and take advantage of this propensity. I'll develop this theme even further: * **Purposeful visualization: ** Not long ago I started to develop a habit of visualization as an effort to help ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 1, 2019:

excellent! The purposeful visualization doesn't help me a whole lot. I have tried that over the years after getting a few of those "memory enhancement" packages and repetition does more for me. I would actually convert all my lecture material in grad school to questions and quiz myself constantly. The visual attention attenuation is quite another story though. I agree with you a million percent there. If I am hearing information and making my own pictures in my mind then my understanding increases dramatically. I really lose something if I am forced to watch them. I keep trying to tell the Bar Association this as they put little visual alerts in the distance learning CLE's to make sure people are watching the screen. If I am forced to watch the screen I can't manipulate my internal pictures like I can if I am just hearing it. Thx for the input!!

Is my brain weird?

John_Tyrrell comments on Jan 1, 2019:

One of the biggest mistakes of my life was probably dropping out of Engineering Physics some 50 years ago because I realized I didn't "understand" everything - or nearly anything at all in the course work. I had to make analogies for everything to get a grip on what was going on - a practice I ...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 1, 2019:

I watched it and agree with him and you. thx!!

If someone's grandiose sense of self-worth is central to their ability to feel justified in using ...

JeffMesser comments on Dec 31, 2018:

Their narcissism is generally a defense for inner feelings of inferiority. You're not going to successfully "stem its' tide" unless you get to the root cause. Why are you trying to manipulate them? Unless you're a trained counselor I'd suggest you follow the advice of all these other good people and...

JeffMesser replies on Jan 1, 2019:

@Secular_Squirrel you've got a lot of moral issues in there.