The Present

[Jethro Tull]

Hello. I joined this forum to not only learn from all of you, but to show you all something that I stumbled upon. I've spent a lot of time seeking the truth of life and death, and was led to this website last month.

http://www.truthcontest.com
Click on "The Present" or "The Present (with religion)" if you're into religion.
Open the file in Word, and click Read Only.

I attached "The Present" in XML format for those of you who cannot open the book in Word.

The writing is not perfect, but the content is what matters. The truth lies within. Don't trust the author, check the ideas for yourself in reality. This book bends down the branch, but you have to pick the fruit.

The content is in a progressive order so start by reading the first ten pages or so. The website itself is a contest to help spread the truth about life and death to the world. If you know the truth, please submit an entry.

All I'm asking is that you take a look at the book.  I'd love to start a discussion about the topics in this book on this forum.  I seek to share with you as well as learn from your insights.

Thank you very much, and I hope this book helps you grow spiritually like it did for me.

[Jethro Tull]

I'll introduce myself, so that you know this is not spam.

Hello friends. I'm a truth seeker who wants to learn from you, as I am always seeking the truth. I am in a love affair with life, in and of itself; it is a love that never dies. Life is completely fulfilling, and I will always have everything I've ever wanted. I consider myself a spiritual being, one who sees himself in everyone, and therefore loves everyone. I consider myself a psychonaut, one who has seen beyond himself and learned a great deal from psychedelics. I am here to share with you what I have found on my path to seek the truth.

Some of my hobbies include playing guitar (rhythm, acoustic), singing, and performing. I gain most of my inspiration from The Beatles. I connect with lyrics; I become music. I also practice yoga and I enjoy riding my bike (weather permitting).

I am here to spread my love unconditionally, and I hope you all can learn from me as I seek to learn from you.

I look forward to seeking, spreading, and defining the truth of life with you all.

[laughingwillow]

Greetings, JT.

I attempted ot follow the link and found that the entries must first be downloaded. (I can't just click and read.) I'm not sure I can even open the documents once they arrive on my desk top. Not too user friendly, imo.

lw

[Jethro Tull]

Greetings to you also, laughingwillow.

Yes, the files must be downloaded because of their size.  Let me know if you cannot open the document in your word processing software.  If it calls for a password, just hit read only.  Hope that helps.  =)

[kosmo]

Hi Jethro. Very ambitious project there, and I applaud the effort and time it must have taken. Now, do you invite honest feedback?

I read a chunk of the material, scanned a lot, and I decided to not go further today. It's very didactic, don't you agree?

I assume you know what to expect from a forum as diverse, opinionated, passionate, and unconventional as this one, right?  :e_wink:

Btw, have you thought about posting in Lycaeum?

[Jethro Tull]

I welcome any honest feedback.  I learn from all feedback.

I see the book as didactic, but more of a call to action.  This book attempts to describe the meaning of the concept of the truth, and is new/different, like every individual interpretation of the concept of truth.  I feel that all interpretations are interpretations of the same ultimate truth, which is the same for everyone made of life, although perception of the concept differs.  This book is didactic in the sense that it tries to "show you the way."

I do know what to expect and I look forward to your feedback with and open mind and open heart.  I participate in a lot of forums but this one is equally as important as others, and I am ready and willing to participate fully.

I submitted a letter to Lycaeum, I am waiting admin approval.  =)

[laughingwillow]

Unfortunately I don't have microsoft word on this mac, so I can't open the files.  :bnope: l
w

[laughingwillow]

Ain't this something!  :bfrown:

A person finally comes around with a glass of water from the well of truth and my straw won't fit the damned hole in the lid...  :bnope:

You got a sippy-cup version of the truth, mon?  :bgeek:

lw

[Amomynous]

The resource cannot be displayed

The page you are looking for cannot be opened by your browser because
it has a file name extension that your browser does not accept.
Please try the following:

    Change the Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) or security
    settings of your browser to accept the file name extension of the
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    Please read the Help for your browser before changing any settings.

HTTP Error 406 - Client browser does not accept the MIME type of the
requested page.
Internet Information Services (IIS)

It's a .doc file. I'm pretty sure that the truth cannot be
contained and encoded in proprietary formats.

Now, if it were XML....

[Jethro Tull]

I will contact the author and get him to save it in a universal format.
I'll be sure to let you know when it is ready.  =)

[laughingwillow]

Well, as long as I can't read your truth, I'm going to post a few of my own........

We'll start with the difficult ones. (At least for me.)

truth #1: Its easier for a person to find fault in others than it is to recognize one's own shortcomings.  

truth #2: Fear is to be feared until fear is recognized and conquered. Then pride is to be feared.

truth #3:Giving = receiving.  (Those who believe it is better to give than receive inhabit an unbalanced universe.)

lw

[Jethro Tull]

Interesting input, lw.

The first truth you mention is entirely based on the individual, in my opinion.

However, the other two ring home with me entirely.

Truth #2
There are two ways individuals can get on the path of truth seeking.  Through fear, or through love.  The way of love is a truth seeker showing the way for others.  Fear is manifested in the mind, and once the mind-made fear is conquered, one can truly see the narrow path of truth seeking.  You overcome fear when you accept that you will die, in the most unpleasant fashion possible.  After you conquer your fear and set out on the path of truth seeking, you must never believe that you "know" the truth.  Pride is an ego trip, an illusion of the mind.  Nobody knows anything, everyone is guessing.  Pride throws you off the path of truth seeking.  There is always more to learn, seek eternally.

Truth #3
Understanding the perfect balance of life/nature is the first step to becoming a spiritual being.  Spiritual beings see themselves in everyone; therefore, they always treat others the way they want to be treated.  They give love unconditionally.  My signature says "...and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."  (Last line recorded by The Beatles on Abbey Road)  Giving = Receiving.  The most fulfilling thing for a spiritual being to do is to help others.  Spiritual beings understand the balance of the universe; they realize that giving is receiving.  Giving benefits spiritual beings, because they are fulfilled by life when giving.  By understanding the balance and receiving fulfillment, spiritual beings inhabit an unbalanced universe.  Every aspect of life is fulfilling.  It is all part of whole life, spiritual beings reside in the center of the physical balance of the universe, while giving all their love.

I tried to upload the files in XML format but the request did not go through (even after 30 minutes of waiting).  I will keep trying, and I will let you know when they are available.  =)

[laughingwillow]

How does fear set one on the path of seeking truth? I've always viewed it as more of a deterrent.

Quick, tell me. I'm afraid curiosity is killing this cat......  :e_biggrin:

lw

[Jethro Tull]

Fear seems like a deterrent until you overcome it.  When you see fear as an illusion of the mind, you have no fear to seek things out for yourself as opposed to trusting other minds, or myths, without checking them for yourself.  You must see fear for what it really is; the most powerful illusion of the mind.

I am going to save these files in XML format and upload them into a zip file on sendspace, I'll post the link in the next half hour.

[Jethro Tull]

Well, here are the files in XML format on sendspace in a zip file.  I don't know how it will work for you, because I use microsoft word.  If it doesn't open correctly, maybe we can try a different file format that will open in your software.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/m3d0w7