h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

An interesting theory on why the major western religions (ie. all the judaism based religions) are apt to be so intolerant, and often violent, is that the jews - whilst in Egypt - adopted the Egyptian faith. On leaving, they (Moses in particular I guess) brought the Egyptian god of War out with them.

It would make sense for them to have done so initially - at least to have taken their spirit from such a god. Would have perhaps have been nice for them to have swapped to a nicer god once Egypt had been escaped! Saved the mass bloodshed for a start.

On the topic of Buddism, this is a religion that has quite a lot of merit. Rather than telling people what is right and wrong (and to kill anyone who disagrees), buddism gives its worshippers an ideal to aspire to. The budda nature seems in many respects to be like Plato's Ideals - an abstraction of virtue (Plato had these abstractions for everything - horseness, teapotness etc, an abstraction of what the 'perfect' horse/teapot would be) or 'how the perfect human should be'. Quite comendable in my view, even if you do not subscribe to the legends of the budda himself (suposedly a man who trancended humanity, becoming perfect).

The individual branches of Buddism may not be quite as well worked out, and it is hard to see how meditating for years over paradoxical Koans can help one reach enlightenment, but without trying them who can tell?

Taoism is not really a religion, but a way of life. The Tao can be interpreted as being 'everything' in many ways. Reminds me of the pagan worship of Gaia. Again, quite sensible - a guide to attaining happiness and living right, without adversely affecting others. The great merit of the major Eastern religions in my view, is that they can accept that people are different, and have different views without feeling the need to convert people, slay them or condemn them as inferior 'infidels'. A non-buddist may well improve their overall Karma (in the eyes of a buddist) without ever knowing about the existence of buddism. A non-Taoist may well follow the Tao unknowingly - they may follow an easy and fullfilling life in accordance with the Tao without ever having seen the Tao Te Ching, or the works of Chuang Tzu. If he knows about the Tao, and chooses to ignore it, then its his loss, not anyone elses. The person who has never come across Christianity, or who disagrees with the teachings, or who just cannot believe, is going to Hell. Buddism and Taoism are not mutually incompatible - one can happily be both. Christianity or Islam or Judaism are (though all stemming from the same source) mutually exclusive. As are C of E and Catholicism which are both branches of Christianity!!!

You tell me which are the thinking mans 'religions'...

Spiritual Warrior

Meditation is - as the saying goes - not a means to an end. It is both the means and the end.

This sounds smug, but basically meditation is a physical as well as a mental act, and in the same way writing about exercise or food or sex does not convey the experiences, the only way to understand meditating is to meditate.

I also had an "Aha" moment with Koans. It was the famous one about one hand clapping. The important part of the experience was not how I interpreted it (it was nothing mystical, I was in a pub at the time) but the "Aha" moment which accompanied it. I cannot now remember what the "Aha" felt like - but there was a definite physical sensation in the brain. (Nothing to do with the Rum and Coke I was drinking at the time - I know what that feels like).

So I would say that meditating on koans is definitely worth it.

I always liked Bart Simpsons answer to that particular question, as he opened and closed his hand...

He got that "Aha!" feeling as well.

I've often tried meditating, but it's one of those things I never keep up. Like going to the Gym, or jogging... I still do Standing Meditations when I think about it - the Chi Gung excercise, as you can quite easily and quickly get to the point where you can feel the Chi, and get it moving around your body. A sort of fast-food meditation, but with very positive results.

I noticed that you have been conversing with Lear on the Chinese Room article - do you know anything about Taoism? Or want to learn more? Or just feel like sticking your oar in? 'cos we're getting an article patched together (eventually) at http://www.h2g2.com/A422605 . It's empty at the moment, aside from the general headings, but we have an ongoing discussion in the forum for that page. Feel free to join in.

SW.