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baker

['Member']Joined: November 28, 2020 at 12:48Last active: February 23, 2026 at 12:1525 discussions5997 comments

Favourite Quotations

[i]“Solang du Selbstgeworfnes fängst, ist alles
Geschicklichkeit und läßlicher Gewinn -;
erst wenn du plötzlich Fänger wirst des Balles,
den eine ewige Mit-Spielerin
dir zuwarf, deiner Mitte, in genau
gekonntem Schwung, in einem jener Bögen
aus Gottes großem Brücken-Bau:
erst dann ist Fangen-Können ein Vermögen, -
nicht deines, einer Welt. Und wenn du gar
zurückzuwerfen Kraft und Mut besäßest,
nein, wunderbarer: Mut und Kraft vergäßest
und schon geworfen hättest..... (wie das Jahr
die Vögel wirft, die Wandervogelschwärme,
die eine ältre einer jungen Wärme
hinüberschleudert über Meere -) erst
in diesem Wagnis spielst du gültig mit.
Erleichterst dir den Wurf nicht mehr; erschwerst
dir ihn nicht mehr. Aus deinen Händen tritt
das Meteor und rast in seine Räume...“[/i]

Rainer Maria Rilke

Discussions (25)

Comments

In: When All Else Fails, Destroy Truth  — view comment
They aren't duped. They are that way to begin with.
February 23, 2026 at 12:18
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
This seems to be part of the problem: Thinking that it's about becoming convinced through an explanation. You know how it goes: Don't go by reports, t...
February 19, 2026 at 20:50
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
Whatcha waiting for?! The zafu's waiting! Never underestimate the Zen folks. That's a whole other kind.
February 19, 2026 at 20:00
In: The Biological Roles of Men and Women  — view comment
Surely there are women who "do not want to be provided for or protected by men". But probably the more prevalent situation is "women who realize that ...
February 19, 2026 at 19:55
In: Evidence of Consciousness Surviving the Body  — view comment
It would be absolutely bizarre to believe in some kind of "life after death" based on the narratives of a few people who had NDE's. The topic of "life...
February 19, 2026 at 19:48
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
I can't answer for them. Yes. Because divinity, in Buddhism, is nothing particularly special or worth aspiring to (even the devas are not enlightened)...
February 15, 2026 at 20:02
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
And where is there denial? It says that the controverted point is "That the “person” is known in the sense of a real and ultimate fact." It's about ho...
February 15, 2026 at 19:16
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
Sure. But the true-nature theory would have us believe that we don't have to make any big, life-changing decisions, that it's somehow enough if we jus...
February 15, 2026 at 12:35
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
Denial of self, denial of atman, denial, denial, denial. Where do you get this? What is your source for learning about Buddhism? In the Pali suttas, t...
February 15, 2026 at 12:15
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
If people would only study primary religious texts as a primary source, many problems they proclaim to have with said religion would go away. Instead ...
February 15, 2026 at 11:50
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
Earlier, you said that "we" keep getting reborn. I asked you who is "we", and you won't tell me. You also won't define what you believe is the self an...
February 15, 2026 at 11:39
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
In fact, that's where the idea comes from to begin with, and this is where it does make sense. According to traditional Buddhism, the Buddha taught on...
February 15, 2026 at 11:36
In: Intelligibility Unlikely Through Naturalism  — view comment
How is it that people typically prefer to say "This doesn't make sense" and "You're not making any sense" as opposed to "I don't understand this" "I d...
February 15, 2026 at 11:10
In: Intelligibility Unlikely Through Naturalism  — view comment
I can: People who try to make sense of the traumatic experiences they've had with theists. When I'm reading this thread, I feel relief, finally, espec...
February 15, 2026 at 11:08
In: The Shoutbox  — view comment
If you can't beat them, join them!
February 14, 2026 at 20:37
In: "My Truth"  — view comment
Of course. Where do you live that you have not heard about assertiveness? If all involved would use I-messages, the conflict would either go away, or ...
February 14, 2026 at 20:27
In: "My Truth"  — view comment
In other words, this comes down to might makes right. A child doesn't accept another person's position because that person would "be right", but becau...
February 14, 2026 at 20:03
In: "My Truth"  — view comment
Considering what goes on in politics nowadays, it's prudent to rethink this. That many people in positions of such great power cannot simply be writte...
February 14, 2026 at 19:47
In: "My Truth"  — view comment
I wasn't referring to that. I was referring to how the practice of the law is in the service of power. For example, how the traffic police doesn't hun...
February 12, 2026 at 20:23
In: "My Truth"  — view comment
Again, my experience has been that this is not the case. Say that something is your opinion or your feeling or your experience, and sure enough others...
February 12, 2026 at 19:40
In: "My Truth"  — view comment
A Christian "friend" (who believed that vegetarianism was wrong or inferior) once told me that I was allowed to be a vegetarian, on the condition that...
February 12, 2026 at 19:23
In: "My Truth"  — view comment
Theoretically, not. Practically, it's everything. How long can one idealistically maintain a sharp distinction between what law, theoretically, ideall...
February 12, 2026 at 19:08
In: The case against suicide  — view comment
Look at certain political options, I won't mention names here. These people are the kind of people who would be satisfied if certain people died, rega...
February 12, 2026 at 15:42
In: Intelligibility Unlikely Through Naturalism  — view comment
This explains a lot about the often absolutely vicious authoritarian attitude of theists in interpersonal relationships. It explains why one's experie...
February 09, 2026 at 20:46
In: Intelligibility Unlikely Through Naturalism  — view comment
But like Moliere has been saying: But arguments don't somehow "speak for themselves", don't somehow stand in a vacuum, don't "stand on their own". The...
February 09, 2026 at 20:39
In: Intelligibility Unlikely Through Naturalism  — view comment
Come to think of it, science is generally one massive attempt to disprove religion. Billions are poured into space exploration, evolutionary topics, e...
February 09, 2026 at 20:37
In: "My Truth"  — view comment
Of course not. You have might makes right.
February 09, 2026 at 18:49
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
Because I distinguish between rebirth and reincarnation. Now tell me: What is the self? What is a living being?
February 09, 2026 at 18:28
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
This. His silence on these matters strikes me as a case of, "*sigh* Didn't you listen to anything of what I've said so far?" In my experience, Buddhis...
February 09, 2026 at 18:27
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
It's in line with what you have said so far. I'm saying the pertinent question is, "What is a living being?" And also, "What is the self?" Most proble...
February 09, 2026 at 16:47
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
What dissolution of the individual upon death?? The body and what is related to it is said to dissolve upon death, yes, but that's it. The "immaterial...
February 09, 2026 at 16:43
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
Justice is another strong motivator. If someone wrongs you, and you're unable to revenge yourself or they die before you have the chance, then what? I...
February 09, 2026 at 16:16
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
If enlightenment is somehow a part of our nature, then this means that it's inevitable that we will somehow become enlightened and that no effort is r...
February 09, 2026 at 15:52
In: Do unto others possibly precarious as a moral imperative  — view comment
Do unto others possibly precarious as a moral imperative Of course. If you're nice to others, they'll probably notbe nice to you in return, but will t...
February 09, 2026 at 11:35
In: "My Truth"  — view comment
Then how about "figuring out on your own terms" what is a mistake and what is fitting in regard to being gay, for example?
February 09, 2026 at 11:30
In: "My Truth"  — view comment
For some people (many, probably), the concept of "interpretation" is unintelligible, unacceptable, a sign of inferiority, or a sign of evil intent. As...
February 09, 2026 at 11:22
In: "My Truth"  — view comment
You go tell that to your boss. Or your arresting officer. Or any such person who is in any way relevant at any point in your life. When did it not?
February 09, 2026 at 11:16
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
But with a caveat. The concept of Buddha nature can be taken to mean that all one needs to do is get to some primeval, pure state, and that's that. Bu...
February 04, 2026 at 20:12
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
That's still thinking in terms of reincarnation, not rebirth. Or perhaps you're referring to humanity as a whole?? In the grand scheme of things, roug...
February 04, 2026 at 19:55
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
Which is why laundry and dishes are excellent candidates for being Nirvana. They, too, have no end.
February 04, 2026 at 19:25
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
I man that they "fit" in the sense that Buddhism is similar to a kind of Hindu monotheism but without the theistic references (and all concepts adjust...
February 04, 2026 at 19:14
In: Intelligibility Unlikely Through Naturalism  — view comment
It's short, but it's not reductionist. A monotheist has the above as a starting point, as the ground from which he makes his "philosophical" arguments...
February 03, 2026 at 20:37
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
A person has questions, or doesn't have them. Questions don't somehow exist and matter on their own. It's on the person to pursue a question, or not; ...
February 03, 2026 at 20:35
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
Not claimed by whom? Names? People are motivated by different things. Some are motivated by the notion of rebirth, some are not. Who is "we"?
February 03, 2026 at 20:33
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
I actually find both rebirth and reincarnation entirely plausible. I also find the Hindu explanation plausible according to which Vishnu/Krishna incar...
February 03, 2026 at 18:29
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
That would be "spontaneously arisen beings", yes. Some births are last births, yes, and as such, are not part of the cycle of life and death anymore.
February 03, 2026 at 18:25
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
This ventures into some concepts more native to some schools of Hinduism, with the veil being the "veil of Maya". The problem with assuming defaults, ...
February 03, 2026 at 18:22
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
You seem to be referring to the idea of "Buddha nature" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha-nature
February 03, 2026 at 16:58
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
You're talking about reincarnation, not rebirth.
February 03, 2026 at 16:57
In: Can the supernatural and religious elements of Buddhism be extricated?  — view comment
Not "forever", but cyclically. In Buddhist cosmology, a universe comes into existence, exists, and then disappers. And then another one appears, exist...
February 03, 2026 at 16:46
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