Atheists & Agnostics

GliderGuider

(21,088 posts)

55. Yes, that's about how I would describe myself as well.

Thu Jan 12, 2012, 01:12 AM

Jan 2012

Last edited Thu Jan 12, 2012, 12:03 PM - Edit history (1)

I'm an atheist when it comes to objective gods, an agnostic in my epistemology, a non-dualist in personal practice, and a Pyrrhonian skeptic when it comes to beliefs in general.

Regarding the supernatural:

In order to define "supernatural" we first have to define "natural", and that seems to be more and more difficult as the boundaries are pushed back. Speculatively speaking, take an 11-dimensional multiverse as the "natural" setting; now postulate a being that exists only in dimensions not perceptible to us but whose actions result in effects in our dimensions. Would such a being be "supernatural"? Language is a real challenge in these discussions.

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Is meditation risky for atheists? [View all] GliderGuider Jan 2012 OP

I don't think it's risky...unless you do it while operating a motor vehicle or heavy machinery. laconicsax Jan 2012 #1

perhaps we need better words Angry Dragon Jan 2012 #2

I like that view, and I agree. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #4

it is hard to get away from labels Angry Dragon Jan 2012 #6

We need to think of labels as starting points rather than ending points. n/t GliderGuider Jan 2012 #8

YES Angry Dragon Jan 2012 #9

I think you got boxed in by the word "risky". Iggo Jan 2012 #31

Yes, "risky" was the main mischief-word in my OP. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #35

No. Warren Stupidity Jan 2012 #3

However there are some whom that believe god resides inside each of us Angry Dragon Jan 2012 #5

People believe many things. Warren Stupidity Jan 2012 #26

How much do you know about yoga? GliderGuider Jan 2012 #7

I meant the American common yoga as practiced by millions of us. Warren Stupidity Jan 2012 #10

Yes... GliderGuider Jan 2012 #11

No pokerfan Jan 2012 #12

Do you meditate? GliderGuider Jan 2012 #13

We all meditate pokerfan Jan 2012 #17

Do you meditate? If so, is there a style you prefer? AlbertCat Jan 2012 #28

Interesting - classical music was my first introduction to that state as well. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #29

My view of meditation is just giving your mind a break from thinking. Neoma Jan 2012 #14

I've tried it and have frogmarch Jan 2012 #15

That is a very common problem pokerfan Jan 2012 #21

I've always been lying down on the couch frogmarch Jan 2012 #22

Some say that meditation is simply hypnosis without suggestion pokerfan Jan 2012 #23

That's a useful insight, thanks. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #33

Oh, I agree pokerfan Jan 2012 #34

Isn't this the same as asking if any subjective experience can undermine one's atheism DavidDvorkin Jan 2012 #16

Meditation has actually strengthened my lack of belief. Odin2005 Jan 2012 #18

As you say, GliderGuider Jan 2012 #20

Zen Buddhists are often atheists, and they meditate all the time. nt ZombieHorde Jan 2012 #19

I don't know why the hell it would be Warpy Jan 2012 #24

No. Things can be "spiritual" without being religious or even supernatural, and IMHO, this is what iris27 Jan 2012 #25

Yes, that's basically my view as well. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #30

depth psychology can remove many of the mental walls that compartmentalize our inner psychological AlbertCat Jan 2012 #27

As I said just above, GliderGuider Jan 2012 #32

No. sakabatou Jan 2012 #36

Atheists should not be afraid of meditation, for crying out loud! RueVoltaire Jan 2012 #37

Oh, I completely agree. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #38

meditation has never fostered "spirituality" in me in any way lazarus Jan 2012 #39

That's why I said it might be "risky" rather than "dangerous".... GliderGuider Jan 2012 #40

I've never believed those things either lazarus Jan 2012 #42

I don't agree with you... DuaneBidoux Jan 2012 #54

I had a similar experience, but mine was much shorter GliderGuider Jan 2012 #65

Making smoking pot obligatory tama Jan 2012 #87

Isn't there a helmet that can make you feel the same way? amyrose2712 Jan 2012 #41

Cool. frogmarch Jan 2012 #43

I think that clip is a small clip of a longer documentary. amyrose2712 Jan 2012 #44

This goes to the heart of phenomonology DuaneBidoux Jan 2012 #45

There is also audio sounds that can induce the same state. DuaneBidoux Jan 2012 #46

I've meditated for years and feel fairly well ensconced in my agnosticism DuaneBidoux Jan 2012 #47

I don't think meditation can move one toward certainty. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #48

That's a fine straw man. laconicsax Jan 2012 #49

That's semantically true. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #50

I consider myself an agnostic in a way meaningful for me but an atheist in that... DuaneBidoux Jan 2012 #53

Yes, that's about how I would describe myself as well. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #55

Like your post... DuaneBidoux Jan 2012 #62

Our cleverness has already far surpassed our wisdom GliderGuider Jan 2012 #63

With your last statement I don't see a problem... DuaneBidoux Jan 2012 #52

I don't think Alexande1304 Jan 2012 #51

I see it as a physical discipline marginlized Jan 2012 #56

That's not the only aspect of meditation though. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #57

I can't believe anyone could be so blind as to type "inadvertent spiritual experiences." darkstar3 Jan 2012 #58

Yes, I suppose it's impossible to have an inadvertent spiritual experience GliderGuider Jan 2012 #59

The question your post begs is simple: darkstar3 Jan 2012 #60

Actually, my post does not beg that question, since an answer is not necessary for the discussion. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #61

So if your definition of spirituality is entirely personal and subjective, darkstar3 Jan 2012 #64

The answers are simple. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #66

On #2, I don't see a complete answer to my question. darkstar3 Jan 2012 #67

You can't avoid it. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #68

But everyone knows where Morocco is, how to get there, and mostly what they'll need to do darkstar3 Jan 2012 #69

You're busily putting words in my mouth GliderGuider Jan 2012 #70

Now you're reversing your position. darkstar3 Jan 2012 #71

Well, I can see I'm not about to convert you to spirituality ;-) GliderGuider Jan 2012 #72

Oh, a non-believer, not a disbeliever. darkstar3 Jan 2012 #73

I've mentioned Pyrrhonian skepticism before GliderGuider Jan 2012 #74

Except that when you haven't decided, you still don't believe. darkstar3 Jan 2012 #75

Yes, exactly. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #76

Did you miss the part where I said that position was manufactured? darkstar3 Jan 2012 #77

All positions are manufactured. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #78

What put me on edge? darkstar3 Jan 2012 #79

You're taking it too personally. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #80

That was impressively passive-aggressive. darkstar3 Jan 2012 #81

All I've been trying to do is respond to your questions. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #82

Some people don't respond well to passive-aggressive behavior. darkstar3 Jan 2012 #83

And some people project. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #84

"Say goodnight, Gracie." darkstar3 Jan 2012 #85

G'night, Gracie. GliderGuider Jan 2012 #86

Sorry to re-open this, but the "po-mo" accusation against Pyrrhonism is amusing GliderGuider Jan 2012 #91

it all depends on what you define meditation as... awoke_in_2003 Jan 2012 #88

This reminds me of the new Christians shouldn't do Yoga memo sarcasmo Jan 2012 #89

Harumph! Eastern spiritual innovations are a threat to everyone... GliderGuider Jan 2012 #90

The main risk is boredom, but that can be cured by meditating with a pencil and a pad of paper. (nt) stone space May 2014 #92

Nope intaglio May 2014 #93

I've had "spiritual" experiences while using drugs... RussBLib May 2014 #95

I've tried it. Nothing happens. AtheistCrusader May 2014 #94