Hi Craig,
-I can see no reason to not use these distinctions as a way of listening to your perspectives. Call it a listening bias .. whatever you like, either way, the mmetaphorical distinctions.
You would have to present me with evidence that some aspect of what you’ve said, results in something which does not fall into one or the other of these distinctions, in order for me to pay more serious attention to the way I intend to proceed through my remaining life.
Craig with the reasonable exception of changing your mind on a detail or two through respecting debate I have no desire to alter your life style. One of the reasons I left cultic Christianity was the need to convert that was espoused.
-All I ask is for you to get clear about what you are doing.
I AM SIMPLY EXPLORING A NEW (TO ME) WAY OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT I SEE WHEN I LOOK AT THE UNIVERSE
-And please don’t mix any of it up with exploration of Physical Reality (or, Reality in the Real World).
Now in the above we have an honest difference of opinion. To me the physical reality and the mystical(?) reality are impossible to separate.
-The true ‘diamond’ in this thread, lies in the message of maintaining clear visibility of the different aspects of ‘reality’ and not getting them confused, either in one's mind, or in conversation.
For your personal reality the above is true. But for myself the ultimate goal of a unified theory of the universe must and I stress the word -must- include the spiritual / mystical.
Perhaps as I learn more my opinion will change but for now my quest is to understand the interconnectedness and the interdependence of this marvellous place we inhabit.
Brian
Cheers[/QUOTE]