"IF THERE IS A GOD WHY IS THERE SO MUCH SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?"
In my experience, life is suffering. It can be argued that life is a dualistic mess. Often there is a way to focus our attention to one side of a coin, if you will. How is it that we can see both sides of a coin without a mirror? Can we see behind our heads with only eyes on one side of it? My point is that we are restricted in how we can even see much less perceive this dualistic world. Is there a way to approach life without having a narrow straight forward viewpoint without the ability to see what is also behind us or behind objects in this 3d world in which we travel and see in a straight linear way. Can you imagine having the ability to see in front and in back of our heads or both sides of the coin at the same time? Would there be two side of a coin then?
In this human existence we are limited to how and what we perceive is real. But what is real? This question, IF THERE IS A GOD WHY IS THERE SO MUCH SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?, is a very hard question to answer from @ecotrain without diving into complex philosophies like the duality of human emotions, desires, ego and this 3d material existence that leaves us gravitating towards satisfying the need to feel whole in the unknown. It would appear we are constantly trying to find some way to satisfy some hidden desire to feel whole in this duality. Have you ever noticed that no matter what we do as a human there is a positive and negative consequence or how we cling to material objects, people or philosophies just to in due time, which is perceived as linear, have it all change dramatically? I find my desire for people, objects and philosophies change in due time. I think this is the root of all suffering, the duality of life.
I have found that the concept of God is one that can provide a constant in this duality. This is a controversial subject as there are entire books used to describe God while also being used as an instrument of control over populations of people. I can not describe God or answer the question of if there is one. I can say, from personal experiences, I have found there to be a constant in this materialistic dualistic existence which is faith in something that transcends this material world, where nothing seems to satisfy our desires which in my opinion causes suffering. No matter what we do there is always a good and bad side to this world. Love easily turns to hate, Bad can quickly turn to good, The sun typically always sets to a dark sky, satisfaction in objects quickly turns to dissatisfaction.
We can say its all unfair and simply just participate in this existence in a unsatisfying way. For me God has been something I turn to as this constant force that is always there. I pray to my imaginary friend God and somehow things make sense. I find myself less attached to space, time and material objects. It is as though a weird silver lining emerges that I can grasp on to and find meaning in this meaningless world. No longer do I feel like my suffering is so personal or isolating. But that is where it gets weird and I can not put words to it. I think that books like the Bible and any religious scriptures out there only limit our perceptions of God. God can simply be viewed as, in my opinion, as a energy that transcends the duality of this material existence. We can connect to it if we choose or not which lends to the duality of life. I am laughing at myself for even trying to explain it. I am re-reading this post and finding myself making contradicting statements.
God is unexplainable and is not responsible for our actions or desires. Suffering can be due to our worldly desires and maybe a desire for something greater than ourselves in this linear materialistic world can help us understand that suffering is only a perception rising from our physical limitations.
Indeed, a very difficult and interesting question, good to see your take on the question.
Many will surely reciprocate with these lines.
I also tried to tackle this question in my post but it was so subjective and perceptive that you can't find an actual reason for it. Anyway...great post
!PIZZA
It was a hard one to make for sure. Trying to explain the unexplainable can be fun!
A tricky question indeed. Very existential thoughts went into my mind immediately, haha.
This quote reminds me of a lesson I saw where group members asked by their senior members kept their heads on a swivel out on the campus. The task forced these new members to think ahead and move forward, knowing that possibilities were coming at all times.
God can be a lot of things for a lot of people and can be a force for goodness. Certainly.
This was such a hard thing to take a crack at. I wanted to make a video to go with post but it seems some minor issues with threespeak. But yeah trying to put words to the unexplainable was a difficult thing to do. Some people's God is different than mine so it really is a matter of perspective.
Yeah well I really appreciate you reading my post! Thank you! It was really tough to write and I got lost in it. Mostly wrote this to finally participate in Ecotrain's question!
I enjoyed reading your post. I think you come to the interesting conclusion that desire causes suffering. This is something that is said a lot in Eastern philosophies. And I think you are right, attachment to the material can cause suffering, because you put yourself in a position of "slave to it". It is what religious people call idolatry.
When you refer to a constant force that goes beyond duality, it is something that could be said not to enslave you but to empower you.
I think the problem of duality has a lot to do with what the Bible is trying to teach with the Tree of Good and Evil. The sin of Adam and Eve is to perceive the world according to that duality, evaluating everything in terms of good and bad. But as you say, God goes beyond and transcends that duality, and that is where we must look.
You know I didnt even get to what I wanted to get to which was my relationship with God. I have Eastern view points or rather perspectives on it. The relationship I have and probably most with God is one that is psychotic. There erupts this play that is indescribable. I find find the concept of Krishna to be one I really hold dear. The supreme personality God. I see the persona of God. When I am in a fixated state of mind or when I reach out I encounter an energy that is truly informative and interactive. It is like you are apart of a play and left wondering how much of a unwilling actor you are in it. There are truly choices we have before us and which ever we chose is the part we play. I have found God to be really full of unconditional love in this respect. We can choose whatever part we play or even if we are just spectators there to witness the glory of it all. Sometimes getting lost in the play is so fun but getting lost in it we can forget that it is all just a play. I dont know if that makes sense as it never really did to me just that it is what it is. Much love man and I really do appreciate you making time for my post!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it is truly something transcendental about life and indescribable at the same time.