hello Greg,
I would have to agree with Pat about the importance of your post. The origins of mankind are indeed an important part of understanding our role/purpose.
If there is an underlying logic of form and function within our world; in my opinion, the role of mankind can therefore only truly be understood if we:
1. Acknowledge the universal framework that brought us forth, which will give us a universal direction and explain the mechanics (quantum, relativity, etc.).
2. Understand how that framework brought us forth by way of its mechanics and direction, which will give us the process of evolution and our origin.
3. Then, we'll perhaps understand "The Role of Mankind", and we'll achieve the enlightenment everyone likes to preach about around here; as it will then, and only then, be apparent how our everyday lives and actions contribute to the universal direction that all things must adhere to by way of the universal mechanics which adheres all things.
We'll be able to look past the pedestal we've placed ourselves on and the mirror that reflects our beloved images and understand that we are an equally important part of the mechanics and direction of this vast universe.
Perhaps, enlightenment isn't achievable by arrogance; but is better sought by humility.
Enlightenment isn't a spiritual journey for me; it's an acknowledgment of the physical interactions that make up our world and how we are an important part of those interactions; but if that allows some to feel better about themselves and their place in all this, then I guess it encompasses the spirit also.
As we all know, acknowledging the first one on the list is pretty tough, but I just feel as though to prescribe advice about enlightenment, when we haven't acknowledged what it is we are doing here, and how our actions affect that direction, is perhaps doing more harm than good. That's why I started this thread.
We may not all agree on the first one, but we can start below it and perhaps reverse engineer our way to a better understanding of it, if we ask ourselves the right questions.
I like your origin story of the Aborigines; I've never heard it before, and I think it represents their views of their origins and how that affects their role in their world. Thanks for sharing.
regards,
Tim
P.S. I wasn't directing any of this at you my friend; I feel we share similar beliefs; I was just adding to the thread.
