Is humanity a superorganism that crosses the barrier of time?

[Jonaitis]

If you think about the systems of governance and law that began in ancient Greece, and Rome, and the agricultural and farming techniques of ancient Samaria, and then the trade techniques of Asia and later the Netherlands, and then the technological innovations of the 20th century that built the foundation of industry... It seems that our predecessors have been paving the path that we now travel on, and which we contribute to in our time, and which future generations will contribute to as time carries on.

What separates humans from leaf-cutter ants, it seems, is that the ants operate in the "now", whereas humans operate collectively across time, spanning hundreds or thousands of years, working on a much larger, more advanced project... And it appears it's our ability to document information in books and through oral speech that allows us to cross over time, like no other.

...I wonder if it's agreeable as a concept that humans have evolved to become a superorganism that crosses time.

The ants, then, have the greater benefit, while we are constantly building castles in the sand. To live in the "now" is to find eternity on earth. It is not living in the "now" that is the origin of things like fear (future) and regret (past). We may be more intelligent, but such animals are more divine.

 

[JohnEmmett]

We may be more intelligent, but such animals are more divine.

Animals are below humanity

Dogs do not have art, poetry, music, movies, and so on

Nor coffee, tea, chocolate, etc.

 

[Jonaitis]

The divine is above humanity and animals are below humanity

Cats and dogs do not have art, poetry, music, movies, and so on

Humans, because we are intelligent, have become bound by mental constructions, and while it benefitted our development, it often misses the most important part of being alive. Adam lived in Eden without mental constructs. He had no concern for his own nakedness, for example. He lived in the "now" in harmony with God. His intelligence did not exceed or fall behind the "now" until he sinned, then regret and fear and shame came in. If there are animals that still live in the "now," then they are a relic of Eden. They are glimpses of the divine on earth.

 

[JohnEmmett]

They are glimpses of the divine on earth.

Skyscrapers are inspired by heaven

That’s a glimpse

 

[JohnEmmett]

 

[Jonaitis]

Skyscrapers are inspired by heaven

That’s a glimpse

Your faith status states you're a Buddhist, but you seem to talk like a Christian.

 

[JohnEmmett]

Your faith status states you're a Buddhist, but you seem to talk like a Christian.

I’m both…

Heaven is Buddhist

 

[Jonaitis]

Heaven is Buddhist

I know, in some schools.

 

[JohnEmmett]

I know, in some schools.

I’m Theravada

 

[Jonaitis]

I’m Theravada

Have you ever looked into Advaita Vedanta? I know, not necessarily related, but curious.

 

[JohnEmmett]

Have you ever looked into Advaita Vedanta? I know, not necessarily related, but curious.

I practiced it for a few years

I realized it was difficult to learn because it was not true

 

[Jonaitis]

I practiced it for a few years

I realized it was difficult to learn because it was not true

Jnana yoga?

 

[JohnEmmett]

Jnana yoga?

Yes… no self and self are extremes


Buddhism is the middle

 

[Jonaitis]

Yes… no self and self are extremes


Buddhism is the middle

There is no middle if there is nothing.

I would argue they would agree, because the Self is no-thingness (not nothing).

 

[JohnEmmett]

There is no middle if there is nothing.

The middle is (all phenomena are) not self…

It’s neither no self… nor self

 

[Jonaitis]

The middle is (all phenomena are) not self…

It’s neither no self… nor self

How would phenomena appear without implying a subtle witness-consciousness present?

 

[JohnEmmett]

How would phenomena appear without implying a subtle witness-consciousness present?

There is a body, but you can’t tell it to be thin, beautiful, or healthy

That’s because it’s not self

 

[Jonaitis]

There is a body, but you can’t tell it to be thin, beautiful, or healthy

That’s because it’s not self

We are are derailing the thread.

 

[Landon Caeli]

Humans, because we are intelligent, have become bound by mental constructions, and while it benefitted our development, it often misses the most important part of being alive. Adam lived in Eden
without mental constructs. He had no concern for his own nakedness, for example. He lived in the "now" in harmony with God. His intelligence did not exceed or fall behind the "now" until he sinned, then regret and fear and shame came in. If there are animals that still live in the "now," then they are a relic of Eden. They are glimpses of the divine on earth.

The twist here, is that God always knew Adam and Eve were naked... So to be aware of the past, present and future, is to be more like God.

The Bible states that God asked mankind not to do this. Perhaps we were not ready yet, but would have been commanded to eat the fruit at a more prepared time.

 

[Jonaitis]

So to be aware of the past, present and future, is to be more like God.

We can only be aware of the present. We can only remember the past and guess what the future holds. To be more like God is to take advantage of the now instead of trying to control what you can't change or stop. It is letting go of our grasp on anything but the present moment.