Original subtitles

so people are possessed by a question

so people are possessed by a question

so people are possessed by a question and

it's part of our nature to be possessed

it's part of our nature to be possessed

it's part of our nature to be possessed by this question and so you can think

by this question and so you can think

by this question and so you can think about this as an archetypal question if

about this as an archetypal question if

about this as an archetypal question if if you like and the question is what are

if you like and the question is what are

if you like and the question is what are we doing here

we doing here

we doing here and you can ask yourself that in

and you can ask yourself that in

and you can ask yourself that in relationship to this conference you're

relationship to this conference you're

relationship to this conference you're here to search for meaning and to

here to search for meaning and to

here to search for meaning and to understand what that might mean but you

understand what that might mean but you

understand what that might mean but you also might ask yourself well why is it

also might ask yourself well why is it

also might ask yourself well why is it that you have to be here for your search

that you have to be here for your search

that you have to be here for your search for meaning why is that something that

for meaning why is that something that

for meaning why is that something that drives human beings it isn't

drives human beings it isn't

drives human beings it isn't characteristic for example of animals

characteristic for example of animals

characteristic for example of animals they don't seem to question their

they don't seem to question their

they don't seem to question their existence and so there's something about

existence and so there's something about

existence and so there's something about the very nature of human being that

the very nature of human being that

the very nature of human being that makes us feel as if something needs to

makes us feel as if something needs to

makes us feel as if something needs to be set right when that's being discussed

be set right when that's being discussed

be set right when that's being discussed historically it's been associated with

historically it's been associated with

historically it's been associated with the term Redemption people are in need

the term Redemption people are in need

the term Redemption people are in need of redemption in the modern age we talk

of redemption in the modern age we talk

of redemption in the modern age we talk about positive psychology and we talk

about positive psychology and we talk

about positive psychology and we talk about happiness which is a much weaker

about happiness which is a much weaker

about happiness which is a much weaker word but our forefathers had a more

word but our forefathers had a more

word but our forefathers had a more profound sense of the problematic state

profound sense of the problematic state

profound sense of the problematic state of human existence and they use more

of human existence and they use more

of human existence and they use more profound words and the idea that we have

profound words and the idea that we have

profound words and the idea that we have a need for redemption is a more profound

a need for redemption is a more profound

a need for redemption is a more profound idea human beings and I'm going to talk

idea human beings and I'm going to talk

idea human beings and I'm going to talk mostly about human beings in the West

mostly about human beings in the West

mostly about human beings in the West because that's the literature that I'm

because that's the literature that I'm

because that's the literature that I'm most familiar with human beings in the

most familiar with human beings in the

most familiar with human beings in the West have been meditating on the nature

West have been meditating on the nature

West have been meditating on the nature of human being for thousands of years

of human being for thousands of years

of human being for thousands of years perhaps ever since we became self

perhaps ever since we became self

perhaps ever since we became self conscious which is another thing that

conscious which is another thing that

conscious which is another thing that distinguishes us from animals and

distinguishes us from animals and

distinguishes us from animals and another thing that drives our search for

another thing that drives our search for

another thing that drives our search for meaning the consequence of this

meaning the consequence of this

meaning the consequence of this meditation or one of the consequences of

meditation or one of the consequences of

meditation or one of the consequences of this meditation has been the production

this meditation has been the production

this meditation has been the production of a series of books that people know as

of a series of books that people know as

of a series of books that people know as the Bible I realize years ago that

the Bible I realize years ago that

the Bible I realize years ago that people saw the world through lenses of

people saw the world through lenses of

people saw the world through lenses of belief and more recently it's been

belief and more recently it's been

belief and more recently it's been demonstrated that that's actually

demonstrated that that's actually

demonstrated that that's actually inevitable the

inevitable the

inevitable the because you're a limited cognitive

because you're a limited cognitive

because you're a limited cognitive processor you have to frame your

processor you have to frame your

processor you have to frame your perceptions with beliefs what I learned

perceptions with beliefs what I learned

perceptions with beliefs what I learned is that the belief systems that people

is that the belief systems that people

is that the belief systems that people use to frame their perceptions have a

use to frame their perceptions have a

use to frame their perceptions have a structure and that structure is

structure and that structure is

structure and that structure is religious it's a religious

religious it's a religious

religious it's a religious presupposition is one that you you might

presupposition is one that you you might

presupposition is one that you you might even know not notice that you make it's

even know not notice that you make it's

even know not notice that you make it's a it's a predicate or an axiom or an

a it's a predicate or an axiom or an

a it's a predicate or an axiom or an assumption and the study of those

assumption and the study of those

assumption and the study of those axiomatic assumptions is what religion

axiomatic assumptions is what religion

axiomatic assumptions is what religion is about and one of your axiomatic

is about and one of your axiomatic

is about and one of your axiomatic assumptions for example is that life

assumptions for example is that life

assumptions for example is that life involves a search for meaning and that's

involves a search for meaning and that's

involves a search for meaning and that's associated with the idea of redemption

associated with the idea of redemption

associated with the idea of redemption and you you'll notice that you asked

and you you'll notice that you asked

and you you'll notice that you asked that question because of course you're

that question because of course you're

that question because of course you're here but you might not notice how

here but you might not notice how

here but you might not notice how strange it is that all of you asked that

strange it is that all of you asked that

strange it is that all of you asked that question and the fact that all of you

question and the fact that all of you

question and the fact that all of you asked that question that human beings

asked that question that human beings

asked that question that human beings have asked that question for as far back

have asked that question for as far back

have asked that question for as far back as we can understand is indicative of

as we can understand is indicative of

as we can understand is indicative of something profound about human nature

something profound about human nature

something profound about human nature its lack of completion now I'm going to

its lack of completion now I'm going to

its lack of completion now I'm going to walk you through the series of stories

walk you through the series of stories

walk you through the series of stories that make up this library of books known

that make up this library of books known

that make up this library of books known as the Bible because it presents a

as the Bible because it presents a

as the Bible because it presents a theory of redemption that in a sense is

theory of redemption that in a sense is

theory of redemption that in a sense is emergent it's a consequence of this

emergent it's a consequence of this

emergent it's a consequence of this insanely complicated cross generational

insanely complicated cross generational

insanely complicated cross generational meditation on the nature of being it's

meditation on the nature of being it's

meditation on the nature of being it's not designed by any one person it's

not designed by any one person it's

not designed by any one person it's designed by processes that we don't

designed by processes that we don't

designed by processes that we don't really understand because we don't know

really understand because we don't know

really understand because we don't know anything about how books are written

anything about how books are written

anything about how books are written over thousands of years or what forces

over thousands of years or what forces

over thousands of years or what forces caused them to be compiled in a certain

caused them to be compiled in a certain

caused them to be compiled in a certain way or what narrative direction they

way or what narrative direction they

way or what narrative direction they tend to take now one of the things

tend to take now one of the things

tend to take now one of the things that's strange about the Bible given

that's strange about the Bible given

that's strange about the Bible given that it's a collection of books is that

that it's a collection of books is that

that it's a collection of books is that it actually has a narrative structure it

it actually has a narrative structure it

it actually has a narrative structure it has a story and that story's being

has a story and that story's being

has a story and that story's being cobbled together it's like it's emerged

cobbled together it's like it's emerged

cobbled together it's like it's emerged out of the depths it's not a top-down

out of the depths it's not a top-down

out of the depths it's not a top-down story it's a bottom-up story then I

story it's a bottom-up story then I

story it's a bottom-up story then I suppose that's why

suppose that's why

suppose that's why many of the world's major religions

many of the world's major religions

many of the world's major religions regard the Bible as a book that was

regard the Bible as a book that was

regard the Bible as a book that was revealed rather than one that was

revealed rather than one that was

revealed rather than one that was written it's a perfectly reasonable

written it's a perfectly reasonable

written it's a perfectly reasonable presupposition that it's revealed

presupposition that it's revealed

presupposition that it's revealed because it's not the consequence of the

because it's not the consequence of the

because it's not the consequence of the work of any one author it's not written

work of any one author it's not written

work of any one author it's not written according to a plan or not a plan that

according to a plan or not a plan that

according to a plan or not a plan that we can understand but nonetheless it has

we can understand but nonetheless it has

we can understand but nonetheless it has a structure it also has a strange

a structure it also has a strange

a structure it also has a strange structuring that it's full of stories

structuring that it's full of stories

structuring that it's full of stories that no one can forget but that also

that no one can forget but that also

that no one can forget but that also that no one can understand and the

that no one can understand and the

that no one can understand and the combination of incomprehensible and

combination of incomprehensible and

combination of incomprehensible and unforgettable is a very strange

unforgettable is a very strange

unforgettable is a very strange combination and of course that

combination and of course that

combination and of course that combination is basically mythological so

combination is basically mythological so

combination is basically mythological so I'm going to start out by telling you my

I'm going to start out by telling you my

I'm going to start out by telling you my genesis has to say about why it is that

genesis has to say about why it is that

genesis has to say about why it is that you need to search for meaning now

you need to search for meaning now

you need to search for meaning now people are pretty familiar as a general

people are pretty familiar as a general

people are pretty familiar as a general rule with basic stories in Genesis

rule with basic stories in Genesis

rule with basic stories in Genesis Genesis starts out with the Word of God

Genesis starts out with the Word of God

Genesis starts out with the Word of God creating being from chaos that's a very

creating being from chaos that's a very

creating being from chaos that's a very complicated idea the idea is that

complicated idea the idea is that

complicated idea the idea is that whatever the word is which is logos from

whatever the word is which is logos from

whatever the word is which is logos from a from a Christian perspective from a

a from a Christian perspective from a

a from a Christian perspective from a Western perspective that logos which is

Western perspective that logos which is

Western perspective that logos which is something like consciousness and

something like consciousness and

something like consciousness and something like speech has the power to

something like speech has the power to

something like speech has the power to pull order out of an underlying chaos

pull order out of an underlying chaos

pull order out of an underlying chaos now we do this all the time people do

now we do this all the time people do

now we do this all the time people do this all the time that's I suppose in

this all the time that's I suppose in

this all the time that's I suppose in some sense why we're hypothetically made

some sense why we're hypothetically made

some sense why we're hypothetically made in the image of God we use our

in the image of God we use our

in the image of God we use our consciousness to constantly construct

consciousness to constantly construct

consciousness to constantly construct being out of chaos and according to the

being out of chaos and according to the

being out of chaos and according to the initial opening of Genesis there's

initial opening of Genesis there's

initial opening of Genesis there's something about that that's akin to the

something about that that's akin to the

something about that that's akin to the construction of the world so that means

construction of the world so that means

construction of the world so that means that from the perspective of this book

that from the perspective of this book

that from the perspective of this book consciousness itself plays a world

consciousness itself plays a world

consciousness itself plays a world constructing role it's got a central

constructing role it's got a central

constructing role it's got a central place and human beings in some sense

place and human beings in some sense

place and human beings in some sense parties participate in that in some

parties participate in that in some

parties participate in that in some minor sense I suppose but in a sense

minor sense I suppose but in a sense

minor sense I suppose but in a sense that none nonetheless makes them akin to

that none nonetheless makes them akin to

that none nonetheless makes them akin to what the library of books called the

what the library of books called the

what the library of books called the Bible assumes his deity and once God

Bible assumes his deity and once God

Bible assumes his deity and once God logos extracts order out of chaos he

logos extracts order out of chaos he

logos extracts order out of chaos he builds a little world and he populates

builds a little world and he populates

builds a little world and he populates it

it

it and then in the little world he puts a

and then in the little world he puts a

and then in the little world he puts a garden a walled garden that's paradise

garden a walled garden that's paradise

garden a walled garden that's paradise because paradise means walled garden or

because paradise means walled garden or

because paradise means walled garden or Eden and Eden means well watered place

Eden and Eden means well watered place

Eden and Eden means well watered place and you might think well why a garden

and you might think well why a garden

and you might think well why a garden and the answer to that is a garden is

and the answer to that is a garden is

and the answer to that is a garden is the optimal combination of nature and

the optimal combination of nature and

the optimal combination of nature and culture or chaos and order because a

culture or chaos and order because a

culture or chaos and order because a garden is where nature flourishes but

garden is where nature flourishes but

garden is where nature flourishes but it's also where nature flourishes in a

it's also where nature flourishes in a

it's also where nature flourishes in a in a safe and controlled environment so

in a safe and controlled environment so

in a safe and controlled environment so that's like an optimal environment for

that's like an optimal environment for

that's like an optimal environment for people and so there's a garden God puts

people and so there's a garden God puts

people and so there's a garden God puts the people in there and that's optimal

the people in there and that's optimal

the people in there and that's optimal when he warns them he says this is a

when he warns them he says this is a

when he warns them he says this is a strange thing he says well now you're in

strange thing he says well now you're in

strange thing he says well now you're in the garden that's where you should live

the garden that's where you should live

the garden that's where you should live and there's something you shouldn't do

and there's something you shouldn't do

and there's something you shouldn't do and what you should do is eat a

and what you should do is eat a

and what you should do is eat a particular fruit now I'm going to tell

particular fruit now I'm going to tell

particular fruit now I'm going to tell you something about vision human beings

you something about vision human beings

you something about vision human beings have excellent vision first of all we

have excellent vision first of all we

have excellent vision first of all we see color

see color

see color hardly any creatures see color but we do

hardly any creatures see color but we do

hardly any creatures see color but we do and not only do we see color but our

and not only do we see color but our

and not only do we see color but our vision is tremendously acute the only

vision is tremendously acute the only

vision is tremendously acute the only other animals that can see as well as us

other animals that can see as well as us

other animals that can see as well as us are birds of prey for mammals man we can

are birds of prey for mammals man we can

are birds of prey for mammals man we can see like you wouldn't believe and the

see like you wouldn't believe and the

see like you wouldn't believe and the and for primates as well as we can see

and for primates as well as we can see

and for primates as well as we can see much better than our closest primate

much better than our closest primate

much better than our closest primate relatives and why that is is a bit of

relatives and why that is is a bit of

relatives and why that is is a bit of mystery but there's a woman in in

mystery but there's a woman in in

mystery but there's a woman in in California who seems perhaps to have

California who seems perhaps to have

California who seems perhaps to have solved that her name is Lin Isabel and

solved that her name is Lin Isabel and

solved that her name is Lin Isabel and she was very interested in how human

she was very interested in how human

she was very interested in how human beings developed vision and she's

beings developed vision and she's

beings developed vision and she's interested in patterns of predation

interested in patterns of predation

interested in patterns of predation predator-prey relationships and she knew

predator-prey relationships and she knew

predator-prey relationships and she knew that our tree dwelling ancestors

that our tree dwelling ancestors

that our tree dwelling ancestors millions of years ago were frequently

millions of years ago were frequently

millions of years ago were frequently preyed upon by snakes in fact there's

preyed upon by snakes in fact there's

preyed upon by snakes in fact there's some evidence that our tree dwelling

some evidence that our tree dwelling

some evidence that our tree dwelling ancestors and snakes Cole evolved and

ancestors and snakes Cole evolved and

ancestors and snakes Cole evolved and that our visual system is particularly

that our visual system is particularly

that our visual system is particularly good at picking up the patterns of

good at picking up the patterns of

good at picking up the patterns of camouflage that snakes used to hide in

camouflage that snakes used to hide in

camouflage that snakes used to hide in trees or in the undergrowth and what is

trees or in the undergrowth and what is

trees or in the undergrowth and what is Bell showed was that if you looked at

Bell showed was that if you looked at

Bell showed was that if you looked at primate populations around the world

where there were more predatory snakes

where there were more predatory snakes

where there were more predatory snakes the primates could see better it's a

the primates could see better it's a

the primates could see better it's a very high correlation and so she

very high correlation and so she

very high correlation and so she concluded that the reason that human

concluded that the reason that human

concluded that the reason that human beings can see so well is because of

beings can see so well is because of

beings can see so well is because of snakes

snakes

snakes now she thought the association between

now she thought the association between

now she thought the association between that and the snake story in Genesis was

that and the snake story in Genesis was

that and the snake story in Genesis was interestingly coincidental but it's much

interestingly coincidental but it's much

interestingly coincidental but it's much more than that you know we don't know

more than that you know we don't know

more than that you know we don't know how the Adam and Eve story came about we

how the Adam and Eve story came about we

how the Adam and Eve story came about we know it's very ancient but there's

know it's very ancient but there's

know it's very ancient but there's something about it that sticks in our

something about it that sticks in our

something about it that sticks in our memory and in our culture and the reason

memory and in our culture and the reason

memory and in our culture and the reason for that seems to be that in some

for that seems to be that in some

for that seems to be that in some strange way it's an extraordinarily

strange way it's an extraordinarily

strange way it's an extraordinarily accurate summation snakes gave us vision

accurate summation snakes gave us vision

accurate summation snakes gave us vision what about fruit now the reason we can

what about fruit now the reason we can

what about fruit now the reason we can see colors is because our visual system

see colors is because our visual system

see colors is because our visual system evolved to detect ripe fruit what about

evolved to detect ripe fruit what about

evolved to detect ripe fruit what about women well you have to be pretty wait

women well you have to be pretty wait

women well you have to be pretty wait code smart a woman so there's this weird

code smart a woman so there's this weird

code smart a woman so there's this weird interconnection in Genesis between women

interconnection in Genesis between women

interconnection in Genesis between women fruit and snakes an idea is that the

fruit and snakes an idea is that the

fruit and snakes an idea is that the interplay between the three remember

interplay between the three remember

interplay between the three remember women are gatherers - or were gatherers

women are gatherers - or were gatherers

women are gatherers - or were gatherers historically speaking and they shared

historically speaking and they shared

historically speaking and they shared food with men and that's a strange thing

food with men and that's a strange thing

food with men and that's a strange thing because human being share food and

because human being share food and

because human being share food and hardly any other animals do and so women

hardly any other animals do and so women

hardly any other animals do and so women did tempt men with fruit and they didn't

did tempt men with fruit and they didn't

did tempt men with fruit and they didn't make them self-conscious along with this

make them self-conscious along with this

make them self-conscious along with this Nathan the fruit and that was a

Nathan the fruit and that was a

Nathan the fruit and that was a catastrophe what happens in Genesis is

catastrophe what happens in Genesis is

catastrophe what happens in Genesis is that when people become self conscious

that when people become self conscious

that when people become self conscious when they eat the fruit their vision

when they eat the fruit their vision

when they eat the fruit their vision improves the scales fall from their eyes

improves the scales fall from their eyes

improves the scales fall from their eyes and all of a sudden they can see in a

and all of a sudden they can see in a

and all of a sudden they can see in a way that no other animal has ever seen

way that no other animal has ever seen

way that no other animal has ever seen and one of the things they can see is

and one of the things they can see is

and one of the things they can see is that they're naked and that that's a big

that they're naked and that that's a big

that they're naked and that that's a big problem and you might ask well what does

problem and you might ask well what does

problem and you might ask well what does being naked mean and that's quite

being naked mean and that's quite

being naked mean and that's quite straightforward people often dream for

straightforward people often dream for

straightforward people often dream for example of being naked in front of a

example of being naked in front of a

example of being naked in front of a crowd and to be naked in front of a

crowd and to be naked in front of a

crowd and to be naked in front of a crowd is to have all your frailties and

crowd is to have all your frailties and

crowd is to have all your frailties and vulnerabilities revealed to judgment

vulnerabilities revealed to judgment

vulnerabilities revealed to judgment that's a nightmare for people and so to

that's a nightmare for people and so to

that's a nightmare for people and so to become self-aware is to wake up into a

become self-aware is to wake up into a

become self-aware is to wake up into a nightmare

nightmare

nightmare and the nightmare involves two profound

and the nightmare involves two profound

and the nightmare involves two profound realization of individual vulnerability

realization of individual vulnerability

realization of individual vulnerability and the consequence of that in genesis

and the consequence of that in genesis

and the consequence of that in genesis is that people are banished from

is that people are banished from

is that people are banished from paradise and are from then on in need of

paradise and are from then on in need of

paradise and are from then on in need of redemption and that they have to work

redemption and that they have to work

redemption and that they have to work and that's how man comes to be in a

and that's how man comes to be in a

and that's how man comes to be in a fallen state and you don't have a need

fallen state and you don't have a need

fallen state and you don't have a need for redemption or need for meaning your

for redemption or need for meaning your

for redemption or need for meaning your request after meaning unless you're in a

request after meaning unless you're in a

request after meaning unless you're in a fallen state and everyone strangely

fallen state and everyone strangely

fallen state and everyone strangely enough has this intuition that they're

enough has this intuition that they're

enough has this intuition that they're in a fallen state that something is

in a fallen state that something is

in a fallen state that something is wrong with the world that needs to be

wrong with the world that needs to be

wrong with the world that needs to be put right and more than that or

put right and more than that or

put right and more than that or something is wrong with being it needs

something is wrong with being it needs

something is wrong with being it needs to be put right and more than that that

to be put right and more than that that

to be put right and more than that that in some weird sense weird way they have

in some weird sense weird way they have

in some weird sense weird way they have a moral obligation to participate in

a moral obligation to participate in

a moral obligation to participate in that process and that drives us like

that process and that drives us like

that process and that drives us like it's beneath what drives us it's an

it's beneath what drives us it's an

it's beneath what drives us it's an axiomatic presupposition the next thing

axiomatic presupposition the next thing

axiomatic presupposition the next thing that happens in Genesis is that Abel and

that happens in Genesis is that Abel and

that happens in Genesis is that Abel and Cain are born and they're really the

Cain are born and they're really the

Cain are born and they're really the first two human beings because Adam and

first two human beings because Adam and

first two human beings because Adam and Eve are made by God where's Kane and

Eve are made by God where's Kane and

Eve are made by God where's Kane and Abel are born there they're the first

Abel are born there they're the first

Abel are born there they're the first people that are born in history and

people that are born in history and

people that are born in history and interestingly enough what happens

interestingly enough what happens

interestingly enough what happens between Cain and Abel which is jealous

between Cain and Abel which is jealous

between Cain and Abel which is jealous resentment against God followed by

resentment against God followed by

resentment against God followed by murder is the first pattern of behavior

murder is the first pattern of behavior

murder is the first pattern of behavior that human beings manifest once they

that human beings manifest once they

that human beings manifest once they become self conscious that's an awful

become self conscious that's an awful

become self conscious that's an awful story and it's a prototypical story in a

story and it's a prototypical story in a

story and it's a prototypical story in a sense because what it says is that there

sense because what it says is that there

sense because what it says is that there are two patterns of reaction to tragic

are two patterns of reaction to tragic

are two patterns of reaction to tragic self consciousness and one is associated

self consciousness and one is associated

self consciousness and one is associated with a murderous state of resentment

with a murderous state of resentment

with a murderous state of resentment resentment towards life the kind of

resentment towards life the kind of

resentment towards life the kind of murderous resentment that drove the

murderous resentment that drove the

murderous resentment that drove the killer in Colorado for example murderous

killer in Colorado for example murderous

killer in Colorado for example murderous resentment against life and the other

resentment against life and the other

resentment against life and the other typifies bi-able

typifies bi-able

typifies bi-able has something to do with the

has something to do with the

has something to do with the establishment of the antithesis of

establishment of the antithesis of

establishment of the antithesis of murderous resentment so you can

murderous resentment so you can

murderous resentment so you can associate murderous resentment in a

associate murderous resentment in a

associate murderous resentment in a sense with Hell and you can associate

sense with Hell and you can associate

sense with Hell and you can associate Abel's path his choices with heaven and

Abel's path his choices with heaven and

Abel's path his choices with heaven and so what happens is that as soon as

so what happens is that as soon as

so what happens is that as soon as people become self conscious being

people become self conscious being

people become self conscious being divides into

divides into

divides into domain that has hell on one Expo on one

domain that has hell on one Expo on one

domain that has hell on one Expo on one end in heaven on another and that's what

end in heaven on another and that's what

end in heaven on another and that's what we hinted at in the in a second story in

we hinted at in the in a second story in

we hinted at in the in a second story in Genesis after that everything dissolves

Genesis after that everything dissolves

Genesis after that everything dissolves into a flood that's Noah into a flood

into a flood that's Noah into a flood

into a flood that's Noah into a flood nature comes in tears everything down

nature comes in tears everything down

nature comes in tears everything down and the Tower of Babel is erected and

and the Tower of Babel is erected and

and the Tower of Babel is erected and that's a meditation on pride people

that's a meditation on pride people

that's a meditation on pride people build a structure that reaches up to

build a structure that reaches up to

build a structure that reaches up to where God is it's a presumptuous act and

where God is it's a presumptuous act and

where God is it's a presumptuous act and there's a reason for that too one of the

there's a reason for that too one of the

there's a reason for that too one of the consistent warnings that emerges in the

consistent warnings that emerges in the

consistent warnings that emerges in the biblical writings is warnings against

biblical writings is warnings against

biblical writings is warnings against the sin of pride and the sin of pride is

the sin of pride and the sin of pride is

the sin of pride and the sin of pride is an intellectual sin and it's associated

an intellectual sin and it's associated

an intellectual sin and it's associated with the presupposition that you know

with the presupposition that you know

with the presupposition that you know enough to do without the transcendent

enough to do without the transcendent

enough to do without the transcendent and the biblical stories state very very

and the biblical stories state very very

and the biblical stories state very very clearly continually that that is

clearly continually that that is

clearly continually that that is catastrophic ly dangerous that you

catastrophic ly dangerous that you

catastrophic ly dangerous that you always have to be aware that there's

always have to be aware that there's

always have to be aware that there's something transcendent that supersedes

something transcendent that supersedes

something transcendent that supersedes the domain of your knowledge and and and

the domain of your knowledge and and and

the domain of your knowledge and and and what what might you think of people who

what what might you think of people who

what what might you think of people who who don't believe that and they're

who don't believe that and they're

who don't believe that and they're totalitarians because they believe that

totalitarians because they believe that

totalitarians because they believe that their belief is total and we know what

their belief is total and we know what

their belief is total and we know what happens when people become totalitarian

happens when people become totalitarian

happens when people become totalitarian what happens is you get the instant

what happens is you get the instant

what happens is you get the instant creation of something on earth that very

creation of something on earth that very

creation of something on earth that very closely resembles hell and that was

closely resembles hell and that was

closely resembles hell and that was hammered home into 20th century if you

hammered home into 20th century if you

hammered home into 20th century if you want to derive one lesson from the 20th

want to derive one lesson from the 20th

want to derive one lesson from the 20th century it's that totalitarian States

century it's that totalitarian States

century it's that totalitarian States and totalitarian ideologies are not a

and totalitarian ideologies are not a

and totalitarian ideologies are not a good way to entrap or or search after

good way to entrap or or search after

good way to entrap or or search after meaning that's a mistake

after the flood the flood is before the

after the flood the flood is before the

after the flood the flood is before the flood that's prehistory that's so far

flood that's prehistory that's so far

flood that's prehistory that's so far back in time we can't even imagine it

back in time we can't even imagine it

back in time we can't even imagine it after the flood there's a there's a new

after the flood there's a there's a new

after the flood there's a there's a new beginning in a sense and that's when

beginning in a sense and that's when

beginning in a sense and that's when history really starts from a biblical

history really starts from a biblical

history really starts from a biblical perspective and the way the Old

perspective and the way the Old

perspective and the way the Old Testament lays itself out then is that

Testament lays itself out then is that

Testament lays itself out then is that it's kind of a classic hero myth a hero

it's kind of a classic hero myth a hero

it's kind of a classic hero myth a hero methods associated with the

methods associated with the

methods associated with the establishment of States and generally

establishment of States and generally

establishment of States and generally speaking when when societies mythologize

speaking when when societies mythologize

speaking when when societies mythologize the beginning of their state they

the beginning of their state they

the beginning of their state they imagine a set of heroes it's sort of

imagine a set of heroes it's sort of

imagine a set of heroes it's sort of happening with people like George

happening with people like George

happening with people like George Washington in the United States it

Washington in the United States it

Washington in the United States it happens automatically that the founders

happens automatically that the founders

happens automatically that the founders of the state are the state are

of the state are the state are

of the state are the state are mythologized

mythologized

mythologized as the great heroes of the past it's the

as the great heroes of the past it's the

as the great heroes of the past it's the great heroes of the past our forefathers

great heroes of the past our forefathers

great heroes of the past our forefathers who established the state and of course

who established the state and of course

who established the state and of course that's true and there were millions of

that's true and there were millions of

that's true and there were millions of them but you can't tell a story about

them but you can't tell a story about

them but you can't tell a story about millions of people so all the actions of

millions of people so all the actions of

millions of people so all the actions of those millions of people are collapsed

those millions of people are collapsed

those millions of people are collapsed and condensed and compressed and turned

and condensed and compressed and turned

and condensed and compressed and turned into a kind of fiction that's more real

into a kind of fiction that's more real

into a kind of fiction that's more real than truth that describes the patterns

than truth that describes the patterns

than truth that describes the patterns that characterize how the state was

that characterize how the state was

that characterize how the state was founded and the old testament runs us

founded and the old testament runs us

founded and the old testament runs us through that the heroes like Abraham for

through that the heroes like Abraham for

through that the heroes like Abraham for example and Jacob who are crucially

example and Jacob who are crucially

example and Jacob who are crucially involved in the establishment of the

involved in the establishment of the

involved in the establishment of the polity of the actual state but something

polity of the actual state but something

polity of the actual state but something always happens as this state is

always happens as this state is

always happens as this state is established and what happens is the

established and what happens is the

established and what happens is the state's established and then people get

state's established and then people get

state's established and then people get off course and the leadership gets off

off course and the leadership gets off

off course and the leadership gets off course and then the state collapses into

course and then the state collapses into

course and then the state collapses into a state of chaos and then there's a

a state of chaos and then there's a

a state of chaos and then there's a prophetic revelation warning of that

prophetic revelation warning of that

prophetic revelation warning of that danger and then there's a terrible

danger and then there's a terrible

danger and then there's a terrible period of chaotic disruption and then

period of chaotic disruption and then

period of chaotic disruption and then there's the regeneration of the state

there's the regeneration of the state

there's the regeneration of the state that story is foreshadowed in the Old

that story is foreshadowed in the Old

that story is foreshadowed in the Old Testament by Exodus Moses story Egypt's

Testament by Exodus Moses story Egypt's

Testament by Exodus Moses story Egypt's a tyranny a leader rises to pull

a tyranny a leader rises to pull

a tyranny a leader rises to pull everyone out of tyranny there's a

everyone out of tyranny there's a

everyone out of tyranny there's a terrible chaotic interlude the wandering

terrible chaotic interlude the wandering

terrible chaotic interlude the wandering in the desert and then there

in the desert and then there

in the desert and then there is the reestablishment of the state

is the reestablishment of the state

is the reestablishment of the state that's an archetypal pattern that

that's an archetypal pattern that

that's an archetypal pattern that happens to all of you it happens to

happens to all of you it happens to

happens to all of you it happens to every country the pattern is there in

every country the pattern is there in

every country the pattern is there in your system of belief which is yours in

your system of belief which is yours in

your system of belief which is yours in the collective belief and something

the collective belief and something

the collective belief and something arises like a snake analogous to a snake

arises like a snake analogous to a snake

arises like a snake analogous to a snake to disrupt it because the state is

to disrupt it because the state is

to disrupt it because the state is insufficiently adapted to the

insufficiently adapted to the

insufficiently adapted to the environment it doesn't have all the

environment it doesn't have all the

environment it doesn't have all the answers it ages and becomes corrupt and

answers it ages and becomes corrupt and

answers it ages and becomes corrupt and then it's prone to collapse and that

then it's prone to collapse and that

then it's prone to collapse and that collapse is a catastrophe

collapse is a catastrophe

collapse is a catastrophe a chaotic catastrophe that happens to

a chaotic catastrophe that happens to

a chaotic catastrophe that happens to you every time for example that your

you every time for example that your

you every time for example that your dreams are shattered or that you

dreams are shattered or that you

dreams are shattered or that you encounter a great tragedy it happens to

encounter a great tragedy it happens to

encounter a great tragedy it happens to people when their spouse dies or when

people when their spouse dies or when

people when their spouse dies or when they're diagnosed with a very very

they're diagnosed with a very very

they're diagnosed with a very very dangerous illness or when their children

dangerous illness or when their children

dangerous illness or when their children are damaged that event analogous as I

are damaged that event analogous as I

are damaged that event analogous as I said to a snake and that's partly

said to a snake and that's partly

said to a snake and that's partly because the circuits in your brain that

because the circuits in your brain that

because the circuits in your brain that detect snakes that other animals use 2d

detect snakes that other animals use 2d

detect snakes that other animals use 2d techniques are the same circuits that we

techniques are the same circuits that we

techniques are the same circuits that we use to detect things that go wrong and

use to detect things that go wrong and

use to detect things that go wrong and things are always going wrong for us and

things are always going wrong for us and

things are always going wrong for us and we're always collapsing into a state

we're always collapsing into a state

we're always collapsing into a state where we're wandering through a desert

where we're wandering through a desert

where we're wandering through a desert in a desert is a state that's bereft of

in a desert is a state that's bereft of

in a desert is a state that's bereft of meaning and bereft of ideas and in that

meaning and bereft of ideas and in that

meaning and bereft of ideas and in that state then we're desperately seeking for

state then we're desperately seeking for

state then we're desperately seeking for well for the establishment of another

well for the establishment of another

well for the establishment of another state and a state that we hope will be a

state and a state that we hope will be a

state and a state that we hope will be a better state it'll be like the last

better state it'll be like the last

better state it'll be like the last state except there'll be more to it and

state except there'll be more to it and

state except there'll be more to it and everyone will finally be happy in that

everyone will finally be happy in that

everyone will finally be happy in that that's part of our utopian dream and

that's part of our utopian dream and

that's part of our utopian dream and it's impossible not to be in that story

it's impossible not to be in that story

it's impossible not to be in that story you're either in a state of order or

you're either in a state of order or

you're either in a state of order or you're in a state of chaos that's where

you're in a state of chaos that's where

you're in a state of chaos that's where the Daoists for example believe that the

the Daoists for example believe that the

the Daoists for example believe that the world is made out of order in chaos

world is made out of order in chaos

world is made out of order in chaos because you're always in one of those

because you're always in one of those

because you're always in one of those two places what happens in the old

two places what happens in the old

two places what happens in the old testament is that the limitations of the

testament is that the limitations of the

testament is that the limitations of the state itself start to become apparent

state itself start to become apparent

state itself start to become apparent and they become apparent in that the

and they become apparent in that the

and they become apparent in that the state is established but it always

state is established but it always

state is established but it always collapses and then it's reestablished

collapses and then it's reestablished

collapses and then it's reestablished but it always collapses it's never

but it always collapses it's never

but it always collapses it's never permanent and there's repetitions of

permanent and there's repetitions of

permanent and there's repetitions of this continual repetitions of the

this continual repetitions of the

this continual repetitions of the a knop shot of the Old Testament at

a knop shot of the Old Testament at

a knop shot of the Old Testament at least the way that it's been constructed

least the way that it's been constructed

least the way that it's been constructed in Christianity is that the state itself

in Christianity is that the state itself

in Christianity is that the state itself is flawed it cannot provide the final

is flawed it cannot provide the final

is flawed it cannot provide the final answer to the question what constitutes

answer to the question what constitutes

answer to the question what constitutes genuine Redemption well this is an

genuine Redemption well this is an

genuine Redemption well this is an important issue it's important issue

important issue it's important issue

important issue it's important issue psychologically it's an important issue

psychologically it's an important issue

psychologically it's an important issue politically is the state the final

politically is the state the final

politically is the state the final answer well it's a totalitarian claim we

answer well it's a totalitarian claim we

answer well it's a totalitarian claim we know that it was claimed by people like

know that it was claimed by people like

know that it was claimed by people like Stellan it was certainly claimed by the

Stellan it was certainly claimed by the

Stellan it was certainly claimed by the communists it was claimed by people like

communists it was claimed by people like

communists it was claimed by people like Hitler that the state was the final

Hitler that the state was the final

Hitler that the state was the final answer it still claimed in many ways in

answer it still claimed in many ways in

answer it still claimed in many ways in places like China today the individuals

places like China today the individuals

places like China today the individuals subsumed underneath the state

subsumed underneath the state

subsumed underneath the state organization in the state well under

organization in the state well under

organization in the state well under Stalin the state was already in a state

Stalin the state was already in a state

Stalin the state was already in a state of perfection if you complained about

of perfection if you complained about

of perfection if you complained about its imperfection then you were going to

its imperfection then you were going to

its imperfection then you were going to be killed so the idea that the state is

be killed so the idea that the state is

be killed so the idea that the state is perfect although it's a tremendously

perfect although it's a tremendously

perfect although it's a tremendously flawed idea can be pursued so hard by

flawed idea can be pursued so hard by

flawed idea can be pursued so hard by people who are gripping their narrow

people who are gripping their narrow

people who are gripping their narrow viewpoints that the state itself becomes

viewpoints that the state itself becomes

viewpoints that the state itself becomes murderous the old testament sort of sums

murderous the old testament sort of sums

murderous the old testament sort of sums itself up in the book of Job and it's a

itself up in the book of Job and it's a

itself up in the book of Job and it's a problematic summing up because job is

problematic summing up because job is

problematic summing up because job is tormented in all sorts of ways

tormented in all sorts of ways

tormented in all sorts of ways everything that could possibly be

everything that could possibly be

everything that could possibly be terrible that happens to any person

terrible that happens to any person

terrible that happens to any person happens to job they can't understand why

happens to job they can't understand why

happens to job they can't understand why so job is in like a final state of

so job is in like a final state of

so job is in like a final state of unredeemed being the state's not the

unredeemed being the state's not the

unredeemed being the state's not the answer

answer

answer well so then if being is order being is

well so then if being is order being is

well so then if being is order being is chaos and chaos is intolerable and the

chaos and chaos is intolerable and the

chaos and chaos is intolerable and the state order is not the answer what do

state order is not the answer what do

state order is not the answer what do you have left that's the question the

you have left that's the question the

you have left that's the question the new testament attempts to solve one of

new testament attempts to solve one of

new testament attempts to solve one of the problems with with the Soviet Union

the problems with with the Soviet Union

the problems with with the Soviet Union for example was their inability correct

for example was their inability correct

for example was their inability correct errors see when you we start out with an

errors see when you we start out with an

errors see when you we start out with an a priori hypothesis about what

a priori hypothesis about what

a priori hypothesis about what constitutes the truth and that

constitutes the truth and that

constitutes the truth and that structures your life it's very difficult

structures your life it's very difficult

structures your life it's very difficult to make the kind of micro Corrections

to make the kind of micro Corrections

to make the kind of micro Corrections that

that

that has to make on a continual basis in

has to make on a continual basis in

has to make on a continual basis in order to remain dynamic and fluid so in

order to remain dynamic and fluid so in

order to remain dynamic and fluid so in order to stay adapted to reality not

order to stay adapted to reality not

order to stay adapted to reality not only do you have to have a viewpoint but

only do you have to have a viewpoint but

only do you have to have a viewpoint but you have to engage in a process of

you have to engage in a process of

you have to engage in a process of modifying that viewpoint and the way

modifying that viewpoint and the way

modifying that viewpoint and the way that you engage in the process of

that you engage in the process of

that you engage in the process of modifying that viewpoint there's two

modifying that viewpoint there's two

modifying that viewpoint there's two ways really one is continual minor

ways really one is continual minor

ways really one is continual minor adjustments as a consequence of paying

adjustments as a consequence of paying

adjustments as a consequence of paying attention so for example if you're

attention so for example if you're

attention so for example if you're having a conversation with your wife or

having a conversation with your wife or

having a conversation with your wife or a friend or maybe it's a difficult

a friend or maybe it's a difficult

a friend or maybe it's a difficult conversation there's a couple of ways

conversation there's a couple of ways

conversation there's a couple of ways that conversation can go one is you can

that conversation can go one is you can

that conversation can go one is you can take your viewpoint and you can impose

take your viewpoint and you can impose

take your viewpoint and you can impose it on that person and often when people

it on that person and often when people

it on that person and often when people are talking that's what they're trying

are talking that's what they're trying

are talking that's what they're trying to do they're not having a conversation

to do they're not having a conversation

to do they're not having a conversation what they're doing is attempting to

what they're doing is attempting to

what they're doing is attempting to impose a viewpoint that they already

impose a viewpoint that they already

impose a viewpoint that they already hold their own the person that's

hold their own the person that's

hold their own the person that's listening and if they're a tyrant or a

listening and if they're a tyrant or a

listening and if they're a tyrant or a bully they'll do that and pay no

bully they'll do that and pay no

bully they'll do that and pay no attention whatsoever to the person's

attention whatsoever to the person's

attention whatsoever to the person's response and in fact they'll get

response and in fact they'll get

response and in fact they'll get irritated and even violent if the person

irritated and even violent if the person

irritated and even violent if the person doesn't accept their a priori framing is

doesn't accept their a priori framing is

doesn't accept their a priori framing is there an alternative well there is an

there an alternative well there is an

there an alternative well there is an alternative the alternative is to pay

alternative the alternative is to pay

alternative the alternative is to pay attention and to listen on the off

attention and to listen on the off

attention and to listen on the off chance that the person that you're

chance that the person that you're

chance that the person that you're talking to might tell you something you

talking to might tell you something you

talking to might tell you something you don't know but in order to listen you

don't know but in order to listen you

don't know but in order to listen you have to be already convinced that the

have to be already convinced that the

have to be already convinced that the little theory that you're using to

little theory that you're using to

little theory that you're using to orient yourself in the world isn't good

orient yourself in the world isn't good

orient yourself in the world isn't good enough because if it was good enough

enough because if it was good enough

enough because if it was good enough then why would you bother listening so

then why would you bother listening so

then why would you bother listening so you have to be deeply aware of your own

you have to be deeply aware of your own

you have to be deeply aware of your own ignorance and that's what humility means

ignorance and that's what humility means

ignorance and that's what humility means humility means to be deeply aware of

humility means to be deeply aware of

humility means to be deeply aware of your own ignorance it doesn't mean to

your own ignorance it doesn't mean to

your own ignorance it doesn't mean to slink around in a shamed manner it means

slink around in a shamed manner it means

slink around in a shamed manner it means to make the presupposition that you may

to make the presupposition that you may

to make the presupposition that you may still have something left to learn and

still have something left to learn and

still have something left to learn and that this annoying person in front of

that this annoying person in front of

that this annoying person in front of you might have something to teach you if

you might have something to teach you if

you might have something to teach you if you would just listen and so you're

you would just listen and so you're

you would just listen and so you're discussing a problem and a problem is a

discussing a problem and a problem is a

discussing a problem and a problem is a time when the things you think aren't

time when the things you think aren't

time when the things you think aren't working that's what constitutes a

working that's what constitutes a

working that's what constitutes a problem so you have a little problem and

problem so you have a little problem and

problem so you have a little problem and you're discussing it let's say with your

you're discussing it let's say with your

you're discussing it let's say with your wife and she offers you her opinion and

wife and she offers you her opinion and

wife and she offers you her opinion and you can brush it off and in which case

you can brush it off and in which case

you can brush it off and in which case your little state stays intact it

your little state stays intact it

your little state stays intact it doesn't move it's still made out of

doesn't move it's still made out of

doesn't move it's still made out of stone it's pillars and you're still a

stone it's pillars and you're still a

stone it's pillars and you're still a tyrant or you can listen you can think

tyrant or you can listen you can think

tyrant or you can listen you can think oh I see there's a micro correction that

oh I see there's a micro correction that

oh I see there's a micro correction that I need to make in one of the peripheral

I need to make in one of the peripheral

I need to make in one of the peripheral elements of my belief and that's a

elements of my belief and that's a

elements of my belief and that's a little painful

little painful

little painful because it means you have to let

because it means you have to let

because it means you have to let something go your your presumption and

something go your your presumption and

something go your your presumption and then you have to be a little chaotic as

then you have to be a little chaotic as

then you have to be a little chaotic as you adjust to the new information and

you adjust to the new information and

you adjust to the new information and then you have to reconstitute yourself

then you have to reconstitute yourself

then you have to reconstitute yourself and what that means interestingly enough

and what that means interestingly enough

and what that means interestingly enough is that you have to make a sacrifice and

is that you have to make a sacrifice and

is that you have to make a sacrifice and godlike sacrifices especially if they're

godlike sacrifices especially if they're

godlike sacrifices especially if they're of the proper kind and the proper kind

of the proper kind and the proper kind

of the proper kind and the proper kind of sacrifice is the one that you made of

of sacrifice is the one that you made of

of sacrifice is the one that you made of your micro belief when you're faced with

your micro belief when you're faced with

your micro belief when you're faced with evidence of error and if you make those

evidence of error and if you make those

evidence of error and if you make those sorts of micro sacrifices then God stays

sorts of micro sacrifices then God stays

sorts of micro sacrifices then God stays pleased with you and the reason for that

pleased with you and the reason for that

pleased with you and the reason for that is that your models of the world stay up

is that your models of the world stay up

is that your models of the world stay up to date now one of the things that

to date now one of the things that

to date now one of the things that happens in the Old Testament all the

happens in the Old Testament all the

happens in the Old Testament all the time is that people are making

time is that people are making

time is that people are making sacrifices to God and modern people they

sacrifices to God and modern people they

sacrifices to God and modern people they just have no idea what like why does God

just have no idea what like why does God

just have no idea what like why does God want burnt lamb smoke it's it's not

want burnt lamb smoke it's it's not

want burnt lamb smoke it's it's not obvious to modern people but you know

obvious to modern people but you know

obvious to modern people but you know your ancestors weren't stupid

your ancestors weren't stupid

your ancestors weren't stupid they were dramatizing something they

they were dramatizing something they

they were dramatizing something they were dramatizing this tremendous

were dramatizing this tremendous

were dramatizing this tremendous realization that no other creature has

realization that no other creature has

realization that no other creature has ever managed which is that there are

ever managed which is that there are

ever managed which is that there are things you can do to your being that

things you can do to your being that

things you can do to your being that changed the nature of reality and if you

changed the nature of reality and if you

changed the nature of reality and if you do them properly you can make reality

do them properly you can make reality

do them properly you can make reality better it's mind-boggling and they acted

better it's mind-boggling and they acted

better it's mind-boggling and they acted that out because they didn't really

that out because they didn't really

that out because they didn't really understand it they noticed that if

understand it they noticed that if

understand it they noticed that if things weren't going right you had to

things weren't going right you had to

things weren't going right you had to sacrifice something valuable and that

sacrifice something valuable and that

sacrifice something valuable and that seemed to make God happy well you might

seemed to make God happy well you might

seemed to make God happy well you might have been a firstborn calf or a

have been a firstborn calf or a

have been a firstborn calf or a firstborn son for that matter for modern

firstborn son for that matter for modern

firstborn son for that matter for modern people it's more like an idea you have

people it's more like an idea you have

people it's more like an idea you have to sacrifice an idea that you hold dear

to sacrifice an idea that you hold dear

to sacrifice an idea that you hold dear in order to progress because the idea is

in order to progress because the idea is

in order to progress because the idea is that you hold dear are exactly what are

that you hold dear are exactly what are

that you hold dear are exactly what are making you suffer if you're suffering so

making you suffer if you're suffering so

making you suffer if you're suffering so you have to sacrifice them and then you

you have to sacrifice them and then you

you have to sacrifice them and then you have to let them go and the consequence

have to let them go and the consequence

have to let them go and the consequence of that is that you enter into this

of that is that you enter into this

of that is that you enter into this little period of chaos and then maybe

little period of chaos and then maybe

little period of chaos and then maybe you pop out of that and that's a good

you pop out of that and that's a good

you pop out of that and that's a good thing and so here's an interesting

thing and so here's an interesting

thing and so here's an interesting observation that process of being in the

observation that process of being in the

observation that process of being in the state and identifying an error and

state and identifying an error and

state and identifying an error and correcting it that's a little death and

correcting it that's a little death and

correcting it that's a little death and rebirth that's like the Phoenix the

rebirth that's like the Phoenix the

rebirth that's like the Phoenix the Phoenix dissolves itself into ashes and

Phoenix dissolves itself into ashes and

Phoenix dissolves itself into ashes and then pops back up as a new bird

then pops back up as a new bird

then pops back up as a new bird in the New Testament there's this weird

in the New Testament there's this weird

in the New Testament there's this weird idea for that you have to identify with

idea for that you have to identify with

idea for that you have to identify with a person who continually dies and is

a person who continually dies and is

a person who continually dies and is reborn or what does that mean it means

reborn or what does that mean it means

reborn or what does that mean it means that the idea that Redemption itself is

that the idea that Redemption itself is

that the idea that Redemption itself is not the consequence of being in a state

not the consequence of being in a state

not the consequence of being in a state it's the consequence of participating in

it's the consequence of participating in

it's the consequence of participating in a process and the process is the

a process and the process is the

a process and the process is the willingness to continually have yourself

willingness to continually have yourself

willingness to continually have yourself sacrificed chaotic and then reborn and

sacrificed chaotic and then reborn and

sacrificed chaotic and then reborn and that's what keeps things alive now in

that's what keeps things alive now in

that's what keeps things alive now in the in the passion story there are other

the in the passion story there are other

the in the passion story there are other elements and the elements are important

elements and the elements are important

elements and the elements are important so for example the story of Christ is

so for example the story of Christ is

so for example the story of Christ is predicated on the assumption that the

predicated on the assumption that the

predicated on the assumption that the person who is making the ultimate

person who is making the ultimate

person who is making the ultimate sacrifices performs another number of

sacrifices performs another number of

sacrifices performs another number of Acts or undergoes a number of processes

Acts or undergoes a number of processes

Acts or undergoes a number of processes and one is a disciplined apprenticeship

and one is a disciplined apprenticeship

and one is a disciplined apprenticeship so for example in order to have some

so for example in order to have some

so for example in order to have some ideas that you can let go and then

ideas that you can let go and then

ideas that you can let go and then reconstitute you have to have some ideas

reconstitute you have to have some ideas

reconstitute you have to have some ideas you can't just be all chaotic and

you can't just be all chaotic and

you can't just be all chaotic and uninformed and so in the New Testament

uninformed and so in the New Testament

uninformed and so in the New Testament Christ is a master of tradition he's a

Christ is a master of tradition he's a

Christ is a master of tradition he's a master of the law and you have to be

master of the law and you have to be

master of the law and you have to be disciplined you have to be a master of

disciplined you have to be a master of

disciplined you have to be a master of something before you're formed at all

something before you're formed at all

something before you're formed at all you have to be imbued with the spirit of

you have to be imbued with the spirit of

you have to be imbued with the spirit of your ancestors will say you have to take

your ancestors will say you have to take

your ancestors will say you have to take on that that burden you see this

on that that burden you see this

on that that burden you see this reflected in popular culture for example

reflected in popular culture for example

reflected in popular culture for example in the movie Pinocchio at the end of the

in the movie Pinocchio at the end of the

in the movie Pinocchio at the end of the movie when Pinocchio is about to become

movie when Pinocchio is about to become

movie when Pinocchio is about to become a real boy his last challenge is to

a real boy his last challenge is to

a real boy his last challenge is to rescue his father and he does that and

rescue his father and he does that and

rescue his father and he does that and to rescue the father means to make peace

to rescue the father means to make peace

to rescue the father means to make peace with your culture and to embody it but

with your culture and to embody it but

with your culture and to embody it but then not to assume that that's absolute

then not to assume that that's absolute

then not to assume that that's absolute it's a necessary process of discipline

it's a necessary process of discipline

it's a necessary process of discipline the next idea that underlies the passion

the next idea that underlies the passion

the next idea that underlies the passion ideas in the New Testament is that the

ideas in the New Testament is that the

ideas in the New Testament is that the ultimate sacrifice is the sacrifice of

ultimate sacrifice is the sacrifice of

ultimate sacrifice is the sacrifice of yourself

yourself

yourself to God now that's a very strange idea

to God now that's a very strange idea

to God now that's a very strange idea it's a very very sophisticated idea

it's a very very sophisticated idea

it's a very very sophisticated idea because what happens in the Old

because what happens in the Old

because what happens in the Old Testament is there's the constant

Testament is there's the constant

Testament is there's the constant sacrificing of something else this

sacrificing of something else this

sacrificing of something else this requires a different order of being what

requires a different order of being what

requires a different order of being what does it mean to offer yourself up as a

does it mean to offer yourself up as a

does it mean to offer yourself up as a sacrifice to God well if you think of

sacrifice to God well if you think of

sacrifice to God well if you think of God as an ineffable representation of

God as an ineffable representation of

God as an ineffable representation of the highest possible value that's what

the highest possible value that's what

the highest possible value that's what monotheists presume henry presume god's

monotheists presume henry presume god's

monotheists presume henry presume god's nameable and even the israelites presume

nameable and even the israelites presume

nameable and even the israelites presume that God wasn't nameable it's ineffable

that God wasn't nameable it's ineffable

that God wasn't nameable it's ineffable but it's the ultimate value whatever the

but it's the ultimate value whatever the

but it's the ultimate value whatever the ultimate value is you don't know what it

ultimate value is you don't know what it

ultimate value is you don't know what it is but you've got to have some idea and

is but you've got to have some idea and

is but you've got to have some idea and the idea of offering yourself up as a

the idea of offering yourself up as a

the idea of offering yourself up as a sacrifice to God is the same thing as

sacrifice to God is the same thing as

sacrifice to God is the same thing as determining that your life will be

determining that your life will be

determining that your life will be guided by unshakeable commitment to the

guided by unshakeable commitment to the

guided by unshakeable commitment to the highest good and what that means is that

highest good and what that means is that

highest good and what that means is that it's no longer your state that's in

it's no longer your state that's in

it's no longer your state that's in charger it's no longer your ego that's

charger it's no longer your ego that's

charger it's no longer your ego that's in charge it's not even you that's in

in charge it's not even you that's in

in charge it's not even you that's in charge it means that your conversations

charge it means that your conversations

charge it means that your conversations with people are no longer going to be

with people are no longer going to be

with people are no longer going to be about convincing them that your

about convincing them that your

about convincing them that your viewpoint is a right it means that what

viewpoint is a right it means that what

viewpoint is a right it means that what your conversation is going to be about

your conversation is going to be about

your conversation is going to be about in your speech is about attempting to

in your speech is about attempting to

in your speech is about attempting to represent what you believe to be true in

represent what you believe to be true in

represent what you believe to be true in the most concise and clear possible

the most concise and clear possible

the most concise and clear possible manner no matter what and that's not how

manner no matter what and that's not how

manner no matter what and that's not how people live people live in a sense by

people live people live in a sense by

people live people live in a sense by it's like a conniving and the conniving

it's like a conniving and the conniving

it's like a conniving and the conniving is a totalitarian conniving the

is a totalitarian conniving the

is a totalitarian conniving the conniving is an idea that the world

conniving is an idea that the world

conniving is an idea that the world should be the way that I want it to be I

should be the way that I want it to be I

should be the way that I want it to be I have a theory about how I wanted to be

have a theory about how I wanted to be

have a theory about how I wanted to be and I'm going to enforce that theory and

and I'm going to enforce that theory and

and I'm going to enforce that theory and I'm going to be very angry when the

I'm going to be very angry when the

I'm going to be very angry when the world doesn't respond the way I wanted

world doesn't respond the way I wanted

world doesn't respond the way I wanted to and maybe I wouldn't be violent as a

to and maybe I wouldn't be violent as a

to and maybe I wouldn't be violent as a consequence of it and I have some sense

consequence of it and I have some sense

consequence of it and I have some sense of where I'm headed

of where I'm headed

of where I'm headed maybe I'm headed for wealth for example

maybe I'm headed for wealth for example

maybe I'm headed for wealth for example and I'm headed to an advertisement so

and I'm headed to an advertisement so

and I'm headed to an advertisement so I'm with my wife when I'm 50 on you know

I'm with my wife when I'm 50 on you know

I'm with my wife when I'm 50 on you know a tropical beach and that's how I'm

a tropical beach and that's how I'm

a tropical beach and that's how I'm going to be redeemed it's a narrow and

going to be redeemed it's a narrow and

going to be redeemed it's a narrow and totalitarian you point then I sacrifice

totalitarian you point then I sacrifice

totalitarian you point then I sacrifice everything to that and it turns out that

everything to that and it turns out that

everything to that and it turns out that that's a very bad idea because things

that's a very bad idea because things

that's a very bad idea because things don't turn out the way I want them to

don't turn out the way I want them to

don't turn out the way I want them to turn out

turn out

turn out the alternative to that and this is part

the alternative to that and this is part

the alternative to that and this is part of what happens in the Sermon on the

of what happens in the Sermon on the

of what happens in the Sermon on the Mount which is very very strange

Mount which is very very strange

Mount which is very very strange document because it represents a

document because it represents a

document because it represents a transformation from the idea that

transformation from the idea that

transformation from the idea that morality is constituted by adherence to

morality is constituted by adherence to

morality is constituted by adherence to a set of rules to morality being aimed

a set of rules to morality being aimed

a set of rules to morality being aimed at something that you might think about

at something that you might think about

at something that you might think about as more of a positive good it's not

as more of a positive good it's not

as more of a positive good it's not merely not doing what's wrong it's

merely not doing what's wrong it's

merely not doing what's wrong it's something else

something else

something else it's sacrificing yourself in the attempt

it's sacrificing yourself in the attempt

it's sacrificing yourself in the attempt to make things better and and making

to make things better and and making

to make things better and and making things better not by aiming at what's

things better not by aiming at what's

things better not by aiming at what's better but by telling what's true and

better but by telling what's true and

better but by telling what's true and assuming that if you do that then what's

assuming that if you do that then what's

assuming that if you do that then what's better will happen whatever that is

better will happen whatever that is

better will happen whatever that is because the thing is you don't know

because the thing is you don't know

because the thing is you don't know what's better you don't have the

what's better you don't have the

what's better you don't have the capacity to fully realize what would

capacity to fully realize what would

capacity to fully realize what would constitute better we've seen that as I

constitute better we've seen that as I

constitute better we've seen that as I said over and over in the twentieth

said over and over in the twentieth

said over and over in the twentieth century people aim at a circumscribed

century people aim at a circumscribed

century people aim at a circumscribed definition of what constitutes the

definition of what constitutes the

definition of what constitutes the utopian state and all we get out of that

utopian state and all we get out of that

utopian state and all we get out of that is endless hell we have to pursue what's

is endless hell we have to pursue what's

is endless hell we have to pursue what's good but we don't know what's what

good but we don't know what's what

good but we don't know what's what what's good is so how do we how do we

what's good is so how do we how do we

what's good is so how do we how do we remove ourselves from that paradox well

remove ourselves from that paradox well

remove ourselves from that paradox well it isn't a matter of gathering more

it isn't a matter of gathering more

it isn't a matter of gathering more knowledge it's a matter of approaching

knowledge it's a matter of approaching

knowledge it's a matter of approaching reality in a different manner and it is

reality in a different manner and it is

reality in a different manner and it is an act of faith as Kierkegaard point to

an act of faith as Kierkegaard point to

an act of faith as Kierkegaard point to code because if you decide for example

code because if you decide for example

code because if you decide for example that you're going to pursue the highest

that you're going to pursue the highest

that you're going to pursue the highest good whatever that is and the highest

good whatever that is and the highest

good whatever that is and the highest good pursuing the highest good means

good pursuing the highest good means

good pursuing the highest good means being willing to transform what your

being willing to transform what your

being willing to transform what your conception of the highest good is you

conception of the highest good is you

conception of the highest good is you pursue the highest good that's your aim

pursue the highest good that's your aim

pursue the highest good that's your aim your aim determines the world you live

your aim determines the world you live

your aim determines the world you live in we know that that's a fact that's a

in we know that that's a fact that's a

in we know that that's a fact that's a psychological fact what you aim at

psychological fact what you aim at

psychological fact what you aim at determines the nature of your world and

determines the nature of your world and

determines the nature of your world and to aim wrong that's hard Amartya by the

to aim wrong that's hard Amartya by the

to aim wrong that's hard Amartya by the way that's a greek word hamartia to aim

way that's a greek word hamartia to aim

way that's a greek word hamartia to aim wrong that sin because Hammar Tiye which

wrong that sin because Hammar Tiye which

wrong that sin because Hammar Tiye which is an archery term which means to miss

is an archery term which means to miss

is an archery term which means to miss the target is what sin means so if

the target is what sin means so if

the target is what sin means so if you're not in a state of grace it means

you're not in a state of grace it means

you're not in a state of grace it means your aims wrong you know naming it the

your aims wrong you know naming it the

your aims wrong you know naming it the right thing or maybe the world is

right thing or maybe the world is

right thing or maybe the world is constituted badly and it's hell-bent on

constituted badly and it's hell-bent on

constituted badly and it's hell-bent on torturing you that's the alternative

torturing you that's the alternative

torturing you that's the alternative viewpoint so you got to get your aim

viewpoint so you got to get your aim

viewpoint so you got to get your aim right you aim at the best and how do you

right you aim at the best and how do you

right you aim at the best and how do you aim well the Sermon on the Mount says

aim well the Sermon on the Mount says

aim well the Sermon on the Mount says something very interesting it says

something very interesting it says

something very interesting it says once you get your aim right and you

once you get your aim right and you

once you get your aim right and you decide to tell the truth then all you

decide to tell the truth then all you

decide to tell the truth then all you have to do is concentrate on the day now

have to do is concentrate on the day now

have to do is concentrate on the day now it's people read the Sermon on the Mount

it's people read the Sermon on the Mount

it's people read the Sermon on the Mount like it's a hippy document you know be

like it's a hippy document you know be

like it's a hippy document you know be like a flower be like a bird don't pay

like a flower be like a bird don't pay

like a flower be like a bird don't pay any attention to the future you know

any attention to the future you know

any attention to the future you know everything will be taken care of it it's

everything will be taken care of it it's

everything will be taken care of it it's not that at all there's presumptions

not that at all there's presumptions

not that at all there's presumptions that are nested in there and the

that are nested in there and the

that are nested in there and the presumption is first of all that you're

presumption is first of all that you're

presumption is first of all that you're aiming at a perfection you're ending up

aiming at a perfection you're ending up

aiming at a perfection you're ending up whatever perfection is and you're not

whatever perfection is and you're not

whatever perfection is and you're not trying to get other people to do that

trying to get other people to do that

trying to get other people to do that you're aiming at it

you're aiming at it

you're aiming at it you're reconstituting your actions and

you're reconstituting your actions and

you're reconstituting your actions and your speech to aim at that and then you

your speech to aim at that and then you

your speech to aim at that and then you do that by noticing very carefully and

do that by noticing very carefully and

do that by noticing very carefully and attending to what constitutes the truth

attending to what constitutes the truth

attending to what constitutes the truth and then you let that take you wherever

and then you let that take you wherever

and then you let that take you wherever it will go and that's the sacrifice of

it will go and that's the sacrifice of

it will go and that's the sacrifice of self to go on because you the truth is a

self to go on because you the truth is a

self to go on because you the truth is a representation of whatever constitutes

representation of whatever constitutes

representation of whatever constitutes reality your best attempt at whatever

reality your best attempt at whatever

reality your best attempt at whatever constitutes reality and to follow that

constitutes reality and to follow that

constitutes reality and to follow that means to follow something that's

means to follow something that's

means to follow something that's transcendent because whatever reality is

transcendent because whatever reality is

transcendent because whatever reality is it's certainly not something that you're

it's certainly not something that you're

it's certainly not something that you're individually responsible for creating

individually responsible for creating

individually responsible for creating even though you might participate in

even though you might participate in

even though you might participate in that process to speak the truth is to be

that process to speak the truth is to be

that process to speak the truth is to be guided by being it's a completely

guided by being it's a completely

guided by being it's a completely different mode of being now I said right

different mode of being now I said right

different mode of being now I said right after Adam and Eve's catastrophic

after Adam and Eve's catastrophic

after Adam and Eve's catastrophic emergence into self consciousness the

emergence into self consciousness the

emergence into self consciousness the world split into two attitudes one

world split into two attitudes one

world split into two attitudes one associated with pain and the other

associated with pain and the other

associated with pain and the other associated with Abell in that those

associated with Abell in that those

associated with Abell in that those attitudes are associated with heaven and

attitudes are associated with heaven and

attitudes are associated with heaven and hell well we know that human beings can

hell well we know that human beings can

hell well we know that human beings can turn the world into hell if you're a

turn the world into hell if you're a

turn the world into hell if you're a student of history you have no doubt

student of history you have no doubt

student of history you have no doubt about that and no matter how terrible

about that and no matter how terrible

about that and no matter how terrible you think the hell that people have

you think the hell that people have

you think the hell that people have created in the past is if you read a

created in the past is if you read a

created in the past is if you read a little more history you'll find

little more history you'll find

little more history you'll find something even more terrible and people

something even more terrible and people

something even more terrible and people of course are afraid of the human

of course are afraid of the human

of course are afraid of the human capacity to turn things into hell that's

capacity to turn things into hell that's

capacity to turn things into hell that's one of the things that underlies our

one of the things that underlies our

one of the things that underlies our environmentalism we're afraid that our

environmentalism we're afraid that our

environmentalism we're afraid that our misbehavior will turn the world into

misbehavior will turn the world into

misbehavior will turn the world into help well be we believe we can do that

do we believe that human beings can turn

do we believe that human beings can turn

do we believe that human beings can turn the world into heaven well that's a

the world into heaven well that's a

the world into heaven well that's a harder thing to believe because there's

harder thing to believe because there's

harder thing to believe because there's a lot more ways that things could go

a lot more ways that things could go

a lot more ways that things could go wrong than there are ways that things

wrong than there are ways that things

wrong than there are ways that things can go right so heaven is a much

can go right so heaven is a much

can go right so heaven is a much narrower thing to aim at than hell which

narrower thing to aim at than hell which

narrower thing to aim at than hell which is a chaotic mess well maybe it's

is a chaotic mess well maybe it's

is a chaotic mess well maybe it's improbable but life is improbable that's

improbable but life is improbable that's

improbable but life is improbable that's for sure and our unredeemed state of

for sure and our unredeemed state of

for sure and our unredeemed state of being is improbable and the other thing

being is improbable and the other thing

being is improbable and the other thing that's improbably is the burden that

that's improbably is the burden that

that's improbably is the burden that we're required to carry existentially

we're required to carry existentially

we're required to carry existentially we're it we're awake creatures of God

we're it we're awake creatures of God

we're it we're awake creatures of God what does that mean it means that we

what does that mean it means that we

what does that mean it means that we suffer and it's real that suffering and

suffer and it's real that suffering and

suffer and it's real that suffering and it's not only that we suffer in that we

it's not only that we suffer in that we

it's not only that we suffer in that we feel pain which is bad enough in

feel pain which is bad enough in

feel pain which is bad enough in frustration and disappointment and all

frustration and disappointment and all

frustration and disappointment and all the catastrophic things that are

the catastrophic things that are

the catastrophic things that are associated with life but even worse we

associated with life but even worse we

associated with life but even worse we can apprehend the possibility of that

can apprehend the possibility of that

can apprehend the possibility of that recurring in the future

recurring in the future

recurring in the future so even when none of those terrible

so even when none of those terrible

so even when none of those terrible things happen to be happening right now

things happen to be happening right now

things happen to be happening right now it's pretty easy for us to imagine that

it's pretty easy for us to imagine that

it's pretty easy for us to imagine that they're going to happen tomorrow and

they're going to happen tomorrow and

they're going to happen tomorrow and they will so not only can we imagine

they will so not only can we imagine

they will so not only can we imagine that they're going to happen again

that they're going to happen again

that they're going to happen again tomorrow they are going to happen again

tomorrow they are going to happen again

tomorrow they are going to happen again tomorrow so we're in a state of constant

tomorrow so we're in a state of constant

tomorrow so we're in a state of constant unredeemed suffering it's a big problem

unredeemed suffering it's a big problem

unredeemed suffering it's a big problem and you know if you think about you

and you know if you think about you

and you know if you think about you can't even imagine a state that would

can't even imagine a state that would

can't even imagine a state that would address that it's just too big a problem

address that it's just too big a problem

address that it's just too big a problem well so then there's another inference

well so then there's another inference

well so then there's another inference in the new testament and its hypothesis

in the new testament and its hypothesis

in the new testament and its hypothesis of a meta state and the inference is

of a meta state and the inference is

of a meta state and the inference is that a life that's predicated on

that a life that's predicated on

that a life that's predicated on constant death and renewal at every

constant death and renewal at every

constant death and renewal at every level of being a life that's predicated

level of being a life that's predicated

level of being a life that's predicated on a search for the truth and an attempt

on a search for the truth and an attempt

on a search for the truth and an attempt to act out the truth and a life that's

to act out the truth and a life that's

to act out the truth and a life that's associated with the sacrifice of self to

associated with the sacrifice of self to

associated with the sacrifice of self to God produces a state of being that so

God produces a state of being that so

God produces a state of being that so deeply meaningful that it justifies

deeply meaningful that it justifies

deeply meaningful that it justifies suffering it doesn't eliminate suffering

suffering it doesn't eliminate suffering

suffering it doesn't eliminate suffering there's no elimination of suffering

there's no elimination of suffering

there's no elimination of suffering Nietzsche said he has he who has a why

Nietzsche said he has he who has a why

Nietzsche said he has he who has a why can bear anyhow and what he meant by

can bear anyhow and what he meant by

can bear anyhow and what he meant by that was

that was

that was if what you're aiming at is of

if what you're aiming at is of

if what you're aiming at is of sufficient profundity it's worth an

sufficient profundity it's worth an

sufficient profundity it's worth an awful lot of misery to participate in

awful lot of misery to participate in

awful lot of misery to participate in the process of bringing it about and

the process of bringing it about and

the process of bringing it about and life has an unbearable depth of misery

life has an unbearable depth of misery

life has an unbearable depth of misery and as a consequence it needs a an

and as a consequence it needs a an

and as a consequence it needs a an absurd positive aim and the absurd

absurd positive aim and the absurd

absurd positive aim and the absurd positive aim

positive aim

positive aim that's posited in the New Testament is

participation in the process that

participation in the process that

participation in the process that transforms earth into heaven the

transforms earth into heaven the

transforms earth into heaven the generation of the kingdom of God on

generation of the kingdom of God on

generation of the kingdom of God on earth and that actually means something

earth and that actually means something

earth and that actually means something it means that the state of being that's

it means that the state of being that's

it means that the state of being that's described by the parameters that I

described by the parameters that I

described by the parameters that I already laid out the willingness to

already laid out the willingness to

already laid out the willingness to engage in internal sacrificial death and

engage in internal sacrificial death and

engage in internal sacrificial death and renewal and sacrifice of the self to the

renewal and sacrifice of the self to the

renewal and sacrifice of the self to the highest value produces the state of

highest value produces the state of

highest value produces the state of being subjectively that's associated

being subjectively that's associated

being subjectively that's associated with habitation in the kingdom of God

with habitation in the kingdom of God

with habitation in the kingdom of God and the actions that are conducted in

and the actions that are conducted in

and the actions that are conducted in that state are what transform the

that state are what transform the

that state are what transform the interpersonal state into the political

interpersonal state into the political

interpersonal state into the political state that's a manifestation of that

state that's a manifestation of that

state that's a manifestation of that kingdom now you all know this you know

kingdom now you all know this you know

kingdom now you all know this you know this the same way that the people who

this the same way that the people who

this the same way that the people who wrote the Bible know it because of

wrote the Bible know it because of

wrote the Bible know it because of course people just like you wrote the

course people just like you wrote the

course people just like you wrote the Bible and the Bible is about people when

Bible and the Bible is about people when

Bible and the Bible is about people when you have a deeply meaningful

you have a deeply meaningful

you have a deeply meaningful conversation with someone you change

conversation with someone you change

conversation with someone you change them and you change yourself you know

them and you change yourself you know

them and you change yourself you know that and the process that you're engaged

that and the process that you're engaged

that and the process that you're engaged in well you have that deeply meaningful

in well you have that deeply meaningful

in well you have that deeply meaningful conversation that's a mode of being and

conversation that's a mode of being and

conversation that's a mode of being and that mode of being to the degree that

that mode of being to the degree that

that mode of being to the degree that that of mode of being is predicated on

that of mode of being is predicated on

that of mode of being is predicated on the attempt to communicate as

the attempt to communicate as

the attempt to communicate as truthfully as possible and with the

truthfully as possible and with the

truthfully as possible and with the highest possible end in mind then right

highest possible end in mind then right

highest possible end in mind then right then and there you're in that state now

then and there you're in that state now

then and there you're in that state now you can tell when you're in that state

you can tell when you're in that state

you can tell when you're in that state because number one you're not

because number one you're not

because number one you're not self-conscious time disappears number

self-conscious time disappears number

self-conscious time disappears number two what you're engaged in is deeply

two what you're engaged in is deeply

two what you're engaged in is deeply meaningful you don't bear the tragic

meaningful you don't bear the tragic

meaningful you don't bear the tragic burden of your life at that moment

burden of your life at that moment

burden of your life at that moment because what's happening with you is so

because what's happening with you is so

because what's happening with you is so worthwhile that it consumes you

worthwhile that it consumes you

worthwhile that it consumes you completely and people are in that state

completely and people are in that state

completely and people are in that state to a widely varying degree but everyone

to a widely varying degree but everyone

to a widely varying degree but everyone is in it sometimes when something like

is in it sometimes when something like

is in it sometimes when something like that happens to you especially once you

that happens to you especially once you

that happens to you especially once you learn to notice it you think well

learn to notice it you think well

learn to notice it you think well there's nothing better than that

there's nothing better than that

there's nothing better than that and if there's nothing better than that

and if there's nothing better than that

and if there's nothing better than that then you might ask yourself why do

then you might ask yourself why do

then you might ask yourself why do anything else now I've tried to figure

anything else now I've tried to figure

anything else now I've tried to figure that out I've tried to figure that out

that out I've tried to figure that out

that out I've tried to figure that out for years it's like because to me these

for years it's like because to me these

for years it's like because to me these look like existential realities they're

look like existential realities they're

look like existential realities they're not hypothetical States they're not

not hypothetical States they're not

not hypothetical States they're not shoved off into some transcendent heaven

shoved off into some transcendent heaven

shoved off into some transcendent heaven they're not otherworldly they're part of

they're not otherworldly they're part of

they're not otherworldly they're part of being itself people can enter states of

being itself people can enter states of

being itself people can enter states of heaven and hell and they can learn to

heaven and hell and they can learn to

heaven and hell and they can learn to stay longer in one state or another so

stay longer in one state or another so

stay longer in one state or another so why don't they stay in the best possible

why don't they stay in the best possible

why don't they stay in the best possible state well one problem is the commitment

state well one problem is the commitment

state well one problem is the commitment of faith I think it's very terrifying to

of faith I think it's very terrifying to

of faith I think it's very terrifying to let go of the direction of your life and

let go of the direction of your life and

let go of the direction of your life and say well I'm going to go wherever the

say well I'm going to go wherever the

say well I'm going to go wherever the attempt to speak the truth will take me

attempt to speak the truth will take me

attempt to speak the truth will take me because god only knows where you're

because god only knows where you're

because god only knows where you're going to end up and it's certainly not

going to end up and it's certainly not

going to end up and it's certainly not where you think in fact the willingness

where you think in fact the willingness

where you think in fact the willingness to abandon going to where you think is a

to abandon going to where you think is a

to abandon going to where you think is a prerequisite for doing this and so in a

prerequisite for doing this and so in a

prerequisite for doing this and so in a sense you're you're a ship

that the wind takes wherever it wants to

that the wind takes wherever it wants to

that the wind takes wherever it wants to take and the second problem I think is

take and the second problem I think is

take and the second problem I think is that it's a real responsibility because

that it's a real responsibility because

that it's a real responsibility because in order to undertake this process you

in order to undertake this process you

in order to undertake this process you have to come to terms with the idea that

have to come to terms with the idea that

have to come to terms with the idea that what you do in your life your wretched

what you do in your life your wretched

what you do in your life your wretched miserable tragic prone life actually

miserable tragic prone life actually

miserable tragic prone life actually matters really it matters you know when

matters really it matters you know when

matters really it matters you know when people complain about meaninglessness in

people complain about meaninglessness in

people complain about meaninglessness in their life all the time but I think

their life all the time but I think

their life all the time but I think that's that's a kind of face-saving

that's that's a kind of face-saving

that's that's a kind of face-saving illusion I think people are more afraid

illusion I think people are more afraid

illusion I think people are more afraid of meaning than they are of

of meaning than they are of

of meaning than they are of meaninglessness because meaningless

meaninglessness because meaningless

meaninglessness because meaningless means meaninglessness means well I can

means meaninglessness means well I can

means meaninglessness means well I can do whatever I want I mean it might be

do whatever I want I mean it might be

do whatever I want I mean it might be kind of you know second-rate and might

kind of you know second-rate and might

kind of you know second-rate and might be dull it might be dangerous it might

be dull it might be dangerous it might

be dull it might be dangerous it might be destructive but it doesn't matter and

be destructive but it doesn't matter and

be destructive but it doesn't matter and so I can do whatever I want to have no

so I can do whatever I want to have no

so I can do whatever I want to have no responsibility because I don't mean

responsibility because I don't mean

responsibility because I don't mean anything so I'm not responsible to

anything so I'm not responsible to

anything so I'm not responsible to anything or anyone but if your life

anything or anyone but if your life

anything or anyone but if your life actually has meaning and it doesn't

actually has meaning and it doesn't

actually has meaning and it doesn't always have meaning it has meaning when

always have meaning it has meaning when

always have meaning it has meaning when you're doing something that's meaningful

you're doing something that's meaningful

you're doing something that's meaningful well then all of a sudden you are

well then all of a sudden you are

well then all of a sudden you are responsible to a higher power so to

responsible to a higher power so to

responsible to a higher power so to speak you're responsible to your own

speak you're responsible to your own

speak you're responsible to your own soul and you're responsible to the state

soul and you're responsible to the state

soul and you're responsible to the state of being that characterizes the world

of being that characterizes the world

of being that characterizes the world itself and that's a massive massive

itself and that's a massive massive

itself and that's a massive massive responsibility it's to take

responsibility it's to take

responsibility it's to take responsibility in a sense it's to take

responsibility in a sense it's to take

responsibility in a sense it's to take responsibility for the sins of the world

responsibility for the sins of the world

responsibility for the sins of the world which is another prerequisite of the

which is another prerequisite of the

which is another prerequisite of the mode of being that's described in the

mode of being that's described in the

mode of being that's described in the New Testaments a very strange idea the

New Testaments a very strange idea the

New Testaments a very strange idea the Redeemer takes on the sins of the world

Redeemer takes on the sins of the world

Redeemer takes on the sins of the world what does that mean well it means all

what does that mean well it means all

what does that mean well it means all human beings are Nazis and human beings

human beings are Nazis and human beings

human beings are Nazis and human beings are the maoist red Garden human beings

are the maoist red Garden human beings

are the maoist red Garden human beings are the slaughterers in Rwanda and

are the slaughterers in Rwanda and

are the slaughterers in Rwanda and you're all human beings and so the take

you're all human beings and so the take

you're all human beings and so the take on the sense of the world means to

on the sense of the world means to

on the sense of the world means to realize that all those things that

realize that all those things that

realize that all those things that characterize the human capacity to turn

characterize the human capacity to turn

characterize the human capacity to turn earth into hell characterize you and

earth into hell characterize you and

earth into hell characterize you and that in order to live properly you have

that in order to live properly you have

that in order to live properly you have to live in

to live in

to live in that addresses those elements of your

that addresses those elements of your

that addresses those elements of your nature and again that's it

nature and again that's it

nature and again that's it that's a terrible responsibility well

that's a terrible responsibility well

that's a terrible responsibility well first of all who wants to admit that

first of all who wants to admit that

first of all who wants to admit that second of all who can stand looking at

second of all who can stand looking at

second of all who can stand looking at it and third who's going to take on the

it and third who's going to take on the

it and third who's going to take on the burden of solving it well it better be

burden of solving it well it better be

burden of solving it well it better be all of us or we're just going to keep

all of us or we're just going to keep

all of us or we're just going to keep doing it so Redemption what does it mean

doing it so Redemption what does it mean

doing it so Redemption what does it mean it means we're not in a state of grace

it means we're not in a state of grace

it means we're not in a state of grace why it was self-conscious we're aware of

why it was self-conscious we're aware of

why it was self-conscious we're aware of the owner of the tragedy of our being

the owner of the tragedy of our being

the owner of the tragedy of our being we're unwilling to take full

we're unwilling to take full

we're unwilling to take full responsibility for it or we're ignorant

responsibility for it or we're ignorant

responsibility for it or we're ignorant about how to do that and that leaves us

about how to do that and that leaves us

about how to do that and that leaves us bereft how do we solve that well we can

bereft how do we solve that well we can

bereft how do we solve that well we can solve it with a state but the problem is

solve it with a state but the problem is

solve it with a state but the problem is the state is not reliable it degenerates

the state is not reliable it degenerates

the state is not reliable it degenerates into tyranny then it transforms into

into tyranny then it transforms into

into tyranny then it transforms into chaos

chaos

chaos then it reconstitutes itself and does

then it reconstitutes itself and does

then it reconstitutes itself and does the same thing again it's not a good

the same thing again it's not a good

the same thing again it's not a good answer is there another answer well

answer is there another answer well

answer is there another answer well maybe I believe that what is outlined in

maybe I believe that what is outlined in

maybe I believe that what is outlined in narrative form in the New Testament is

narrative form in the New Testament is

narrative form in the New Testament is psychologically correct I believe that

psychologically correct I believe that

psychologically correct I believe that the idea that endless micro death and

the idea that endless micro death and

the idea that endless micro death and renewal produces a state of proper

renewal produces a state of proper

renewal produces a state of proper adaptation to being and that the

adaptation to being and that the

adaptation to being and that the prerequisites for that that are laid out

prerequisites for that that are laid out

prerequisites for that that are laid out in the narrative structure that

in the narrative structure that

in the narrative structure that underlies the New Testament are

underlies the New Testament are

underlies the New Testament are fundamentally correct so to be redeemed

fundamentally correct so to be redeemed

fundamentally correct so to be redeemed is to aim at the highest value to

is to aim at the highest value to

is to aim at the highest value to sacrifice what's no longer useful and

sacrifice what's no longer useful and

sacrifice what's no longer useful and valid in yourself and to tell the truth

valid in yourself and to tell the truth

valid in yourself and to tell the truth and the consequence of that is existence

and the consequence of that is existence

and the consequence of that is existence in a deep state of meaning that

in a deep state of meaning that

in a deep state of meaning that justifies the tragedy of being and the

justifies the tragedy of being and the

justifies the tragedy of being and the possibility of transforming your own

possibility of transforming your own

possibility of transforming your own life in the most beneficial positive

life in the most beneficial positive

life in the most beneficial positive direction

direction

direction while simultaneously doing that for the

while simultaneously doing that for the

while simultaneously doing that for the people around you and that's Redemption

people around you and that's Redemption

people around you and that's Redemption thank you very much support Ontario's

thank you very much support Ontario's

thank you very much support Ontario's public television donate at TV org