What are you reading at the moment?

[BladeRunner]

As I like to read very much, I always find this an interesting topic. Just tell us which book (or what else) you are reading and maybe some lines about it, to get a disucssion started.

I am reading Stephen King's novella collection "Full Dark, No Stars" at the moment, and the first two stories kind of helped me through a horrible train travel after which I arrived more than 3 hours later at home than scheduled (and it would have taken 7 hours anyway) and my foot began killing me (it had been hurting for quite some while, but only now has it become an isse - perfect when you have to move and almost nobody helping you). The book was just right for that purpose, as you don't need to concentrate too much and the subject matter is awful enough to keep you distracted from your own trouble, at least a bit  King also seems to like reusing his successful formulas time and again, but this works most of the time imn his books, and makes them an entertaining and chilling read. From time to time, I love to read his books!

[dlg78]

I have just recently started reading Lord of the Rings, last time I tried I found it too deep and couldn't concentrate!

[BladeRunner]

I also have started LOTR several times, and I think I got through only once (and barely - or maybe I even didn't and only watched the movies, which were also a bit too long ). I don't really get into LOTR stuff - when reading (or watching) it, I always found it all a bit too much, often difficult to relate to and at times (have to admit it) really boring I like The Hobbit very much, however, which is of course a children's book Well maybe his more mature stuff ist just too much for me.

But please tell me how you like it now!

[Ouroboros]

I've just started reading (for the second time) Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett.

It's a very odd story where nothing at all happens but it's still a fascinating story in a very bleak, pointless, depressing way 

[Zaf]

I'm reading The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying - so far very uplifting when I'm down but the text is tiny and I find it difficult to concentrate because of that

[Got]

The art of happiness. ...a book that works if I am not to badly depressed.

Also..Introduction to Buddhism....which we follow in my meditaion class. I can't possible belive in some of it as it is entirely unfounded, but some is practical advice.

[Zaf]

The first one sounds interesting, I might see if I can find it in Amazon

Which bits of Buddhism do you find hard to believe?  I was very interested in Buddhism about 5 years ago but my sticking point was priests and ritual.

[Got]

Rebirth....nice idea, attractive even, but this is just speculation..there is no evidence for it.

The mind has no physicality and no physical objects can stand in its way. This is simply wrong, If I damage someones prefrontal cortex, we will most definatly see how a physical structure can change the mind. This idea that is has no form is highly subjective, and contradicts objective research. I understand the argument fully...but since this argument was developed, much science has contradicted it.

Some people can walk through walls...well I've never seen anyone manage that.

Some people can sink in to the ground as if it is water...again...not likely.

However...much of the philosophy is practical, sensible, and useful.

The art of happiness is the book with the Dalai Lama on the front. I like this book alot.

[Zaf]

There are a lot of things we believe in nowdays that there was no evidence for a couple of hundred of years ago, its possible that a conciousness remains after physical death but so far its not been proved (or disproved)


Got to agree with you on the walking through walls and sinking in ground bits, I'm not sure about the mind not having physicality but I do understand your argument.

I'll have a look on Amazon, thanks :)

[Got]

It has not been disproved, that is true. However, most of what we have accumulated in terms of knowledge, tells us in terms of probablity, that this is a philosophical  beleif that serves to hold together a religion...as we have many, many examples of that...but no examples of rebirth. So in terms of probablity, it probably not true. We also have lots of understanding as to what a concious actualy is, how it functions, develops, and the functions it serves.

If I was to chose to believe in things without evidence, I could very well beleive I am a rich, famous artist with a beautiful wife. I have no evidence, but it is a beleif that could make me happy!

If you now think I am a cold, cynical miserable sod....you will get along well with my family and freinds!!! ha ha. Us scientists are an annoying bunch apparently.  

[Got]

Actually Zaf, I think you will really like the art of happiness. Some of the ideas and philosophies in it are something that I have contemplated deeply, and have been the focus of some of my meditations. I am using is as my first base of adopting an outlook that will hopefully go a long way in increasing my chances of a more stable life. I plan to build on this with some dharma teaching, lost of meditation, and of course putting positve behaviour and thinking into practice.

[Zaf]

It has not been disproved, that is true. However, most of what we have accumulated in terms of knowledge, tells us in terms of probablity, that this is a philosophical  beleif that serves to hold together a religion...as we have many, many examples of that...but no examples of rebirth. So in terms of probablity, it probably not true. We also have lots of understanding as to what a concious actualy is, how it functions, develops, and the functions it serves.

If I was to chose to believe in things without evidence, I could very well beleive I am a rich, famous artist with a beautiful wife. I have no evidence, but it is a beleif that could make me happy!

If you now think I am a cold, cynical miserable sod....you will get along well with my family and freinds!!! ha ha. Us scientists are an annoying bunch apparently.  

I might wait till its proved or disproved before I make my mind up :)

Not at all,  I was a totally confirmed athiest till a few years ago, my views changed but not sure why but I think it was when  I iwas drawn to reading about lots of different beliefs as I became interested in religious history when I went off on a tangent following an interest in the history of Europe and the Ottoman empire.  I believe some scientists actually have the opinion there must be a higher something (god?) in the universe, but I'm not convinced on that one.   

I found the book in amazon so put it on my wish list, I love books but try to ration myself as I feel guilty if I spend too much at once!

[Got]

There are some scientist like this yes,  although they represent a very tiny minority. There are actually papers published on this, I cannot remember the stats, but the value is low. Usually these people are from strong religious families, and are unable to break through the rigidity of thought it it often creates. For example, Robert Winston. Highly proclaimed scientist, but still claims to beleive that Juddaism is an accurate representation of the worlds events, even though all other evidence contradicts.

Lots of people hate Richard Dawkins, but his book, the God Delusion, I think is excellent.

Please pray to me five times a day and treat me as your God, and I promise that if you adopt my beliefs, you will be rewarded with an eternity of serendipity. I also accept money, gold, or any other expensive item as a token of your beleif in my own beliefs.

I think you will like the art of happiness alot.

[Zaf]

Please pray to me five times a day and treat me as your God, and I promise that if you adopt my beliefs, you will be rewarded with an eternity of serendipity. I also accept money, gold, or any other expensive item as a token of your beleif in my own beliefs.

I think you will like the art of happiness alot.

Thats what gives religion a bad name   I knew a chap years ago that was actually frightened that if he didnt attend mass every Sunday something terrible would happen to him.  All through my readings on various religions there are usually promises and/or threats, its the way of the priests and organisations to keep contol of heir flock imo and has no place in true faith of any kind imo.

I've ordered the book, thanks :)

Bearing in mind you dont believe in god, but if you did what form would she/he/it take?  Just curious, its something I ask a lot of people!

[Got]

Well to answer to that I would have to understand what a god is. What is a God? Is it a creator? In my understading, a god is a human concept that is borne out of a desire to explain the nature of the universe, provide comfort, and usually to maintain order and moral values. Also, if the world needs a god in order to exist, what does a god need in order to exist?

Enstein used to talk about god, and people thought this meant he belived in god. But by talking about god, Einstein was talking about the physics which was yet to be understood by human kind. He did not beleive in a god as an entity or a being, it was a term used to describe the yet unknown.