21 Jun 10
Can be a bit of both, don't you think?
Beliefs can arise from the mind. Just reflecting on things and how you react towards it considering the circumstances.
At the same time it can blind you. Where you're concentrated on certain aspects and are set on finding them a lot of times it will distract from all thats really out there and give you tunnel vision.
21 Jun 10
Originally posted by avalanchethecatGood point. Are these beliefs a genuine reflection upon anything? Or are they simply byproducts of our minds being byproducts of the universe?
Certainly sounds plausible. Phrased thus I guess it comes down to the free-will debate again doesn't it?
Either way, I feel the distinction doesn't do any good, because you're stuck with it anyway.
21 Jun 10
2 edits
Originally posted by FreakyKBHI think "possess" is an inappropriate word to use to describe the relationship between belief and mind.
"Belief isn’t an idea the mind possesses. Belief is an idea that possesses the mind.”
I'm ambivalent on this one. Thought?
EDIT - Belief is a part of the mind. The conscious mind has only limited control over belief. Some of that control is through learning and logic. Some of that control is through self-hypnosis. The first way is better for matching belief to reality. The latter is better for manipulating oneself to, say, resist a compulsion to do immoral acts. Or, for manipulating other people...
22 Jun 10
1 edit
Originally posted by avalanchethecatI'm still mulling, sorry to say! There's so many aspects of Zen in the idea, I'm having difficulty figuring out where the head ends and the snake begins...
Certainly sounds plausible. Phrased thus I guess it comes down to the free-will debate again doesn't it?
EDIT: HA! Forgot the ssssss!
22 Jun 10
Originally posted by FreakyKBHA belief is a product of yours and you are a product of your belief;
I'm still mulling, sorry to say! There's so many aspects of Zen in the idea, I'm having difficulty figuring out where the head ends and the snake begins...
EDIT: HA! Forgot the ssssss!
It could be either an uroboros (no sssss! in such a case cause the thing is busy chewing itself), or a rope in the darkness, or both or neither
😵