What defines reality?

If it's any consolation @HenryX

I was not eagerly awaiting the synopsis! Not that I wouldn't still be interested, but my good ol' memory (lack thereof) kicked in! lol

Thank you for that extremely in-depth response @HenryX

Your view is very insightful..

I must take a look at the book you mentioned , it seems like it may have some relevance to my understanding of this topic..

It will take me a little time to go through your post more thoroughly.. many thanks..

Hi @StuF

Just thought I'd add that note to let you know that it was still in mind. I often think of sitting back and reading any of the numerous books that I have in hardcopy and digital formats and think,

"Yes I'm working at getting to that place".

Oddly enough, it was the cyclone last year that moved me to improving my position in general, so,

"It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good".

We can be influenced both positively and negatively by the unexpected.

Thankfully, though the event was disastrous, it has moved me in the right direction. Working toward and hoping for continued improvement.

Best Wishes

@HenryX

Thank you @MDT ..

I tend to also be a fairly practical person and get lost when dealing in abstraction..

I do think that your statement about belief is quite profound and is reflective of human nature:

"I can believe something is real and act accordingly. I can never believe something and NOT act it out. It is not in our nature as a species"

Thank you for that quotation @StuF

To understand the start of life, is perhaps a way to understand the finite nature of mankind.. and reality..

@RandleMcMurphy we werent scared or anything it became fascinating. An example my eldest one night woke to find the old woman stroking his cheek. The old man ghost was angry though another night I woke to find my covers was being pulled down.

@HenryX i have no fear of death as I firmly believe there is life after death in the spirit world. I am not religious but spiritual. I have had too many experiences of life after death to think there is nothing.

Nice story, @RandleMcMurphy . I really liked...."The first replied, “Nonsense. And moreover if there is life, then why has no one has ever come back from there?"The character does not realize what they're asking for.

Hello @Bunniekins

and @RandleMcMurphy , @Appleblossom , @StuF , @MDT

Like you, @Bunniekins , I have no fear of death. I am more fearful of the living who may wish to cause harm than anything else unknown. I satisfy myself with the belief that dark forces, such as they may or may not exist, would easily be outclassed by the forces of good, on behalf of myself or anyone else.

I lean more to an open religious expression of faith and belief, based on Christian principles, while recognising other faith foundations as well. These are a guide for my life rather than they dictate how my life should be lived. I choose to live a particular way, rather than have that way dictated by others.

I have adopted various principles in the past in such a way as to be dictated to by my adoption of certain principles and beliefs. By that, I recognise that it was, indeed, I who was the controlling agent. That is, while considering and taking into account what I have already said about changes in the way that I have viewed structures and principles, philosophical, religious and practical, during my life a few posts back.

While I have had some interesting experiences, on the themes that you have described, they have not been extreme, though occasionally unsettling.

Best Wishes

@HenryX