Bret Bernhoft

I can understand where you're coming from, at least I assume I do. But what seems to be missing from your response is an appreciation for how mysticis...

Religion is a caste system.

From my research, you're correct in that a new worldview is emerging. A popular title that I've seen this "new worldview" referred to as is "non-duali...

I think we're on the same page here.

How's it going? I'm happy to respond to each of your points and questions. Here we go... There is plenty of documentation, the evidence is all around ...

Thank you for the inquest. I was going to attempt an explanation in one succinct response, but that doesn't seem possible ATM. What I will do, however...

Bill Hicks doesn't really have a central "channel" to find his best content. But if you search for his stand-up on YouTube, you'll find most of it.

Human consciousness is quite special, and worth nurturing to its fullest potential. Glad to see others agree.

It should also be noted that Shamanism is a timeless practice. This is to say, that Shamanism manifests in our contemporary world, just as vibrantly a...

Thank you for the response. Human consciousness is the most potent force in the known Universe because it is (we are) capable of overcoming anything. ...

That's an interesting question. The answer is, "None." Shamanism doesn't promote faith in anything. Shamanism is about firsthand, direct revelation. I...

To some extent you're correct. But is that inherently a negative trend? Is it so wrong that a subculture wishes to revisit our collective human roots?...

Thank you good person, thank you. I appreciate your blessings.

Hermetics implies that there is nothing outside us that isn't inside us; as there is nothing above us that isn't below us. Is there a physical world? ...

I do, but I'm breaking open and out of my shell to more deeply engage with the world around and within me. Little by little.

To be honest, I'm intimidated to respond to the minds/posts found herein. Everyone knows so much more than me. But that is a poor excuse, as learning ...

My central so-called "absolute truth" is that human consciousness is the most potent force in the known Universe.

Oh man. Shamanism isn't a religion. Shamanism is a set of tools. Shamans aren't prophets. Anyone can be a shaman. Everyone is a shaman, most commonly ...

You are correct. The word "magick" does imply the original Hermetic meaning of causing transformation in alignment with one's will. In terms of teachi...

In my opinion, "magick" is nothing more than a set of practical tools for living a more fulfilling life. No different than gym class or mathematics. I...

You might misunderstand the subject of magick and/or Paganism?

I'd also like to add that the so-called "New Age" and "Atheism" are not perpendicular to each other. I'm of the opinion that magick should be taught i...

In the beginning of your video, you state (something equivalent to) that because there is so much "muchness" within our known Universe, that the human...

As within, so without. As without, so within.

Indeed.

In terms of an example of Gnosis and its significance, we can look to all of Shamanism. Direct revelation is the name of the game when it comes to the...

I relate to the Carl Sagan quote you shared, thank you for that.

In my experience, an optimal means of "doing philosophy" is Gnosis; which appears to be a common thread running throughout much of the original doctri...

The opening quote for this thread is wonderful. But I'm curious, what are the relationships between mystics and shamans? I would wager that there is l...

IMO, prayer of any kind is both a meditation and a magickal act. This implies that such behaviors are (probably, essentially) automatic for a majority...

I'm interested in learning more about what you mean. How is a "tool", a white invention? Please be specific.

Yes, a deity can manifest something impossible for themselves (and/or their followers) to accomplish. And this does confront the issue(s) surrounding ...

I do not observe math as being racist. "It" is an open source programming language for the Universe. Anyone can access "it", as there are no barriers ...

Have you ever read the book, "Artificial You"? It was written by Susan Schneider, and released almost exactly a year ago. It's a thoughtful and timely...

This is interesting. I've seen similar reductionist approaches to describing "truth" in Zen Buddhism. Even among Western world figures such as Eckhart...

Have you viewed any of the videos on YouTube featuring people who hear and/or see the world around them for the first time? Here is one of those video...

Understood. But there are technologies that can help users discern intention and deception. Those are the kinds of solutions I'm interested in.

Thank you for your reply and feedback. You are correct that I'm looking at any given Cyberpunk universe from protagonist's perspective within the stor...

The answer/solution to defending against sophistry (in my opinion) are better media technologies. As another way of looking at this, imagine that ther...

I personally view the world from a animist perspective, wherein everything in endowed with life and spirit. That, if true, would imply all phenomena a...

I am interested in Transhumanist philosophies, and would consider myself a techno-optimist, for sure. And while I don't intend to live forever, I woul...

Thank you for both of your replies. I suspect your last post is truer than most know.

This is interesting. I don't have nearly as much training or professional background as you do, but I can appreciate what you're saying here. Thank yo...

This is all fascinating. I wasn't expecting this kind of a response to my original post for this thread. Thank you to everyone who has commented and/o...

That's my opinion as well. Animism makes sense.

In terms of a physical explanation for consciousness, I ascribe to panpsychic and animistic frames of mind. In other words, everything physical is con...

I'm currently reading "Beyond Earth's Horizon", as written by Anthony Fucilla.

Do you mean to say that fifty percent of math is concrete, while the other fifty percent is in the minds of Mathematicians?

Hmm. I don't know to be honest. That is a subject that deserves it's own contemplation; what are the luminal counterparts to notes? You worded that ni...

That's a good question. I would think some sort of play or dancing? Music and dancing are (essentially) the same thing.