Learning about crossovers helped convert me from atheist to a believer in God

@xenolith

The beautiful thing about such enlightenment is that the same capacity for abstract thought that serves to enslave the human mind with irrational fear over the disposition of one’s imaginary permanent self becomes the means of it’s emancipation through knowledge of the truth of one’s impermanence; and in that enlightenment, the mind that was previously one’s jailor becomes one’s liberator.

I am only familiar with Vipassana. Perhaps I misunderstand you but abstract thought is most certainly not a means of emancipation in this tradition. It is the capacity for non-identification with any thought. that allows space for meeting life directly, in the present moment, absent interpretations, projections, narratives, etc. Yes; we need the "gate-keeper" aspect of mind to watch the breath and identify the mental states/qualities that arise but this is not "abstract".

I read a story one time that let a mark in me:

It was a disciple of Vishnu praying all day, "all is Vishnu"... Someday an elephant going amok was running against him , the cornac cries with a loud voice to go away...but the disciple immersed in his prayer stay there , and almost died crushed by the big animal... Then he asked why hurting me O Vishnu ? But he received soon the answer , the cornac hearing him said i am Vishnu too and i cry to you to go out of the road and you did not listened...

deep joke !

When I first saw the title of this thread, I kept my distance, knowing what I'd say. I tried to read through it but my eyes glazed over halfway through the first page but I have to say something without leaving. 

I've found more "god' in my discovery of avocado toast (image and all) than in all that I've read about religion. That, and it has to have that sunny side up egg on it. It's those little epiphanies that'll do it to you.

All the best,
Nonoise

I think that you are right...

Sometimes discussing we forgot the essential in life... The essential is in details...Not in great books... But i like too much books to sometimes catch the "avocado taste" ...God is there not in my books...but perhaps in my books too and i miss him because of my big ego ?

😊

I’ve found more "god’ in my discovery of avocado toast (image and all) than in all that I’ve read about religion. That, and it has to have that sunny side up egg on it. It’s those little epiphanies that’ll do it to you.

C/mon, is there anyone else out there that finds this thread misplaced, bizarre and self indulgent?  Perhaps Audiogon should have a Philosophy/Theology tab or change the name to Audiogod. Truth be told, this thread has made me want to listen to Instant Karma more than once.