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There will be passing thoughts, trains of thought and longer commentaries (page links).  Along with new additions and views, I suspect there will be certain notions that are re-entered and rehashed as well.   As a work in progress, I may also change older entries at later dates. . .
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JOSEPH HOLBROOK
#1. JANUARY 2007: “OMNIGOD” It's a common declaration that: God is "Omniscient", "Omnipresent" and "Omnipotent". (IS ALL knowing, IS Everywhere (spiritually) and IS ALL powerful) What exactly is the difference between that statement and the statement: "God IS ALL" (or in my words) God IS "All that is The Truth". The difference is that the first description mandates "God" (or The One God) as "A" being WITH "attributes" (ex. Just as an individual man is "A" being WITH attributes). Whereas the second statement conveys that: God does not "HAVE" attributes, but IS ALL , including ALL attributes which includes the attribute of BEING (As well as Omniscience, Omnipresence and Omnipotence.) The difference in perspective is monumental. The first statement, though allocating complete dominion and union, implicates "A" Being with attributes, which (whether intended or not) serves to separate God from ALL that is. One may or may not believe that "A" Being or "The" Being called God exists. There seems to be, after all, a whole Universe to play in whether one believes in "The" Being or not. "Belief" can even be a reoccurring phenomena. The second statement claims: There is no separation. . .at all. It asserts that once the principle of "The Truth" and the Universe is realized , then "Belief" in something separate isn't required. Everywhere and Everything IS always God, always here and we are all simply aspects of IT's expression. The evidence and beauty is so staggering and so ultimately all inclusive as to preclude any requirement of "Belief". ___________________ It may seem only a ploy that I substituted realized for "believed" in order to bolster "The Truth" / "God" / Universe proposition. And. . . I did, but the difference between the two words is more than just slight of hand. In this Journal, I have no reason to use words for anyone's benefit but my own. . .and the word fits. IT is a revelation of Truth, not opinion, which is belief. Some people are capable of living with life-long "Blind Faith" convictions. For others, "Beliefs" can can be unresolved or unverified over a lifetime. An epiphany or a Timely Perspective, however, can bring realization in a flash. Or, sometimes it sneaks up over time. Admittedly, the word "realization", in this instance, represents a personal experience, but the consequences are very, very different from having a "belief". Of course I'm forced to concede that until empirical evidence provides proof of the concept, this "realization" may only be acknowledged by a small group. . .maybe a few. . .maybe no one else at all. . .and that's OK. It will, without a doubt, remain an untouchable precept in my life and I look forward to visiting and writing about its various facets over the coming years. Whenever I'm asked if I believe in God, I always respond with the same truthful phrase: "Actually, IT's The ONLY thing I believe in." And if I get any sort of sanctimonious retort at all, I add: "Did you mean that as a Religious question?" It's entertaining to watch the face of a person who has never considered one without the other. (Joseph Holbrook) ________________________________________________
 
 
There's this old baseball. Over the years, a society of microbes came to be deposited inside the ball and they took up permanent residence there. They live quite nicely on the contents of the ball's interior and whatever else happens to come through the skin. Even sunlight on the baseball's cover helps provide nourishment. It is their "Universe".
The microbes can only travel on ONE string at a time within the ball. Around and around all the windings, up and down from the skin toward the center and back. For the sake of the image, Imagine a relative quantum leap of intelligence for these little guys. Given whatever observations microscopic life of that size could make, what do you suppose they might surmise about their Universe?
Around all those windings, there would be more avenues of strings to navigate than the whole society could travel in a lifetime, or even generations of lifetimes; so, they might speculate that their Universe is infinite. Their wherewithal includes free will, so they might explore and ask questions: Where do the strings come from? What lies in the center of our Universe, or beyond its surface? Could there be other Universes out there? They might even search for a purpose to it all.
The interest and the point of such a mind-game is of course jumping back out here to who we are. We're in a position to see that despite ALL that the baseball is to those microbes, their whole universe is, after all, only a baseball to us. And to top it off, the only purpose for the baseball is its use. . .in a game. Most players will say that the purpose of playing the game is to win, but that's much to abstract a concept . The only real purpose of the game is , to play it.
No matter what they discover, or theorize, no matter how hard they try, it's not within the Microbes' capacity to ever know the baseball's actual purpose. It will ultimately disintegrate from old age, or it may even be recycled into something else. . . maybe even another baseball. But it's purpose always was and will be, simply. . . to exist for the game. (Joseph Holbrook)
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(Man, most likely, is too confined a noun. I'm sure the inquiry should include any and all physical and mental constructs of the universe that allow for sentience, for consciousness.)
I'll have to address Free Will more completely at another time. I DO think it exists, though there are those that think otherwise. They argue that the universe is deterministic, and that this makes free will impossible. (And to some degree, the subject may depend on definition). EINSTEIN summarized his dismissal of free will in a 1928 speech to the German League for Human Rights (below):
 
 
 
I must investigate Schopenhauer further, to determine exactly what he meant by: a ". . .human can . . .DO what he wants, but can not WILL what he wants."  It seems odd.  If it is meant that "WHAT" we are and "HOW" we function is dictated by the science underlying existence (and so THAT would influence "WHY" we function and the way we do WHAT we do). . . I can agree with that.  That is saying that by sheer will alone, we cannot alter the immutable laws of physics. (There are also conflicts with free will and Relativity which I'll attempt to address at another time)
And so: Within the laws of physics, I DO see a determinism regarding the past, present and future of the universe. HOW it functions is not malleable.  HOWEVER, I do think we are able to manipulate at least material functions and affect change in our everyday lives and so, influence (within boundaries) aspects and outcomes within the material world around us. . .in a variety of ways. . .at any given moment. That includes how, or in WHAT FASHION, we think about things, and what we physically DO with those mental constructs. How we act upon them and subsequently alter our lives (and the lives of those around us). That sounds like free will to me, at least how I define it.  It is not an illusion.
I accept that what some describe as Evil might seem to manifest outside the realm of (human) consciousness and "choice". Flesh eating bacteria, man eating lions and killer tornadoes might be classified as Evil; but, that's just human interpretation of effects. I suppose Sociopaths could be classified as Evil , as could any human with genetic, physical or mental maladies or mutations that ultimately presents contemptible results. That, however, certainly doesn't mean, nor does it stand as proof that "EVIL" is an independent entity. Only that it is an available, and apparently unavoidable, classification.
Putting aside genetic aberration, indoctrination, brain-washings,etc. Evil is . . . .an option. Evil action is an aspect of the Universe, an aspect of "The Truth". IE: "All That Is The Truth" includes what we call "Evil".  Just as the potential for GOOD (in man) exists, "conscious implementation" ultimately brings it about. . manifests it, makes it real.   GOOD AND EVIL are both the verbs and the nouns, the actions and the results.  TRUE EVIL is born of Conscious INTENT.  And though it is possible for animals other than man to be intentionally heinous and cruel, it is mans' abilities along those lines that are most horrific. . . and as a piece of subjective irony. . . most inhuman.  "Were it not for man. . .Where would Evil reside?"
In short: "The Truth" includes ALL potential, including the free will of humans to choose EVIL or GOOD ideas, concepts. . .and actions. Consciousness is at the root of this position . Consciousness, whether deemed an emergent property or a force unto itself. . . exists.  It makes no difference whether it's mechanics include collapsing quantum wave fronts, or any of a number of other theoretical possibilities.  Consciousness allows choice.  Actions and results ensue.  As aspects of "The Truth", the choices are up to us.  Free Will. . .Evil or Good. (Joseph Holbrook)
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Certainly one thing that results from the dance of infinite possibilities is "EXISTENCE" . "Existence" IS the "Meaning" of the Universe,  At least of ours.  Looking for meaning other than that could mean missing the sublime point . We are Evidence of The Meaning.  Our existence is a celebration of Potential and we are afforded the opportunity to be "Conscious Aspects" of the expression.
The "Reason" for Existence is because IT is possible.  Humanity's "Purpose" should be to comprehend these simple points, to seek all the good that can be discovered and all the love that can be expressed while we are here, and Aware.  Knowledge, Understanding, Friendship, Happiness, Harmony, Passion, Compassion, Peace, Love. . . Of course these are Humanity’s Purpose.  It seems so obvious.  My opinion is that this Purpose is intrinsic in nature, but even if it is subjectively established, I have a hard time envisioning any purpose more worthwhile .
Cold hard information and efficiency can be interesting; but ultimately, the reason behind it all should, at least, bring a smile to your face.  Other purposes only seem important because humans are expert at concocting and convincing themselves of almost anything.__________________________________________________________
JANUARY 24 2008:     "A CONFIDENCE"
"We have no idea how often consciousness like ours arises throughout the Universe, nor can we be sure that it is anything but a rudimentary example of awareness.  I, for one, am confident that is exactly the case."

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ENTRIES ARE LOGGED OLDEST TO NEWEST IN THIS JOURNAL.
#2. JANUARY 21,'07      "PURPOSE"  (I'm inclined to think of a baseball)
#3. APRIL 19, '07:   "WERE IT NOT FOR MAN. . . .WHERE WOULD EVIL RESIDE?"
"I don't believe in the freedom of the will.  Schopenhauer's saying, that a human can very well do what he wants, but can not will what he wants, accompanies me in all of life's circumstances and reconciles me with the actions of humans, even when they are truly distressing. This knowledge of the non-freedom of the will protects me from losing my good humor and taking much too seriously myself and my fellow humans as acting and judging individuals."
#4 JUNE 22,'07:              “EXISTENCE”
Being separate from God is a penalty of ego.  
As long as you are pursuing, you are doing the separating.
Chasing what can't be caught, when IT is where you are.
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APRIL 30  2009:          "the CHASE"