Are you only human?

Question

Or is there a deeper eternal you, one that knows birth and death. Here to enjoy the enlightenment of all things?

Looks like most the women blew the guys away on this one. ~ : )

Looks like the guys are gaining a little ground. ~ : )

Answer 1

Someone once said, 99% of what we are isn't visible, and I agree with that. I am a spiritual being having a human experience.

Answer 2

The definition of 'human' is one of the deepest questions of relgion, philosphy and science.

My working definition is that to be human involves being both a biological entity and a 'spiritual' one and that the two cannot be and are never separated. The spirit -- that aspect of man that is created in God's image -- is eternal. For now, it is united with a decaying body. In the resurrection, that body will be transformed to also be eternal. As the spirit is eternal, extending beyond 4 dimensions, there is no time to pass between these two periods.

I would think that the spirit knows birth (twice) and that death is merely a transition phase similar to birth.

Not sure if I understand the last part of the question. Do you mean to ask what the purpose of life is? If so, it's nicely summed up in the Westminster Shorter Catechism: the purpose of man is to love God and to enjoy Him forever.

Answer 3

Why do you say "only" human as if being human was something bad, or if the concept human and divine are at direct opposite parts of the spectrum? What else could I be, a rat, a flea, a horse, some anthropomorphic deity like Mars or Aprhodite? I find my self human, and that suffices. I am human PERIOD, not "ONLY" a human, nor anything "MORE" than human. Just human and that suffices. I recognize Nature as God, and myself a part of God/Nature. Nature created me, and when I pass, I return to her embrace. I, like the Buddha, care absolutely nothing about Metaphysical hogwash, occult systems, religious rituals or any of that BS that only leads one OFF the path. Since I see myself and God/Nature as a unity, I see no need to separate the inseparable: Body and Soul. Blake wrote that the body is that portion of the spirit which is discernible to the five senses.
He also felt no need to separate the two. Existence as some kind of disembodied spirit is absurd, so likewise the belief that their are two orders of Nature: an inferior physical part and the superior supernatural or spiritual part. This Dualism leads to nothing but gross errors and stupidity. There is only ONE Nature, ONE Self. I am what I am because Nature made me that way. I have no complaints. Therefore, I don't waste time trying to develop occult or psychic powers or get mixed up in New-Age thinking. Ramakrishna said that the pursuit of Siddhis (occult or psychic powers) is the leading cause of yogis falling from the path and finding themselves in spiritual darkness. Nature has all the powers she needs. And every creature has all the powers it needs. Does a horse need to be able to fly? Does a dog need to breathe underwater? Does a human need to be a god to be happy?
If you had the power to call down fire from heaven (lightning strikes) and target anyone or anything you liked, what good could you do with it? If you could levitate, what good would that do anybody? Would you use your powers to force everybody to obey and worship you? Would God do the same? I am part of the Whole and that suffices. My part might not be the biggest or best, but I don't care.

Answer 4

I am an energy that is part of a greater whole and in this life i chose to be a cute girl. My life as a human has the purpose of learning important lessons and fulfilling a destiny that will bring my overall consciousness closer to enlightenment. I have known many births and deaths and am working toward remembering as many as possible. I plan to make the most of this life as a human.

Answer 5

The human spectrum of being is only 1 kingdom out of our immense individual vast consciousness or overall being. It is only 1 kingdom, just like a kaleidescope, a holarchy. The kingdoms/natures of our being proceeded out of the one above it, in order to solve the deficiency or meet the needs for its perfection.

The Human spectrum has a source, a nature that it was immersed out of as a means to work on and interact with the lower natures of our being which dwell in the voids of lesser vibration. It came to solve the purpose of bringing the heaven and earth within us into oneness, as mankind's spectrum is that nature which is an heir to both heavenly nature and earthly nature and its kingdoms. So we are all more than "human" but the human nature is vital. the human nature is ephemeral in the sense that it is transient, but transient in the manner that its an state which the movement of the essential nature that incarnates (is expressed in this world by our greater Mind of light) in this world cycles through the human nature like breath, the cycle of the exhale and the inhale.

Shalom

Answer 6

We are essentially divine, but due to ignorance continue to be human. The human being is endowed with consciousness that helps the self becoming conscious of the ultimate truth. The moment one attains that level, he is liberated; liberated of the ignorance caused by ego. The eternity within manifests itself.

Answer 7

In this form I am only human. I do know birth as the beginning of a form and death as the dissolution of a form. It is a continuous process, part of the nature of form. The aware consciousness which speaks through this form is eternal, formless yet moves through form and free as are you.

Answer 8

Yes, though "mere" humanity is pretty amazing. I don't need to pretend that I'm somehow eternal to be "enlightened".

When you die, you're just dead. Life is not about the destination, but the journey. Enjoy it while you have it.

Answer 9

There is most certainly a deeper eternal 'you'. After all the concept of 'I' or 'we' is only an illusion of self.

Answer 10

Human, dog, owl, newt, frog, bunny, snake, spider, slug, squid, mudskipper, wombat, and the moon...but tonight, the animal of honor is the frog I found on my carrion plant!