Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Personally, I couldn’t agree more with ol’ Oscar. We are all One in anycase, so to me it makes sense!

I think what the quote is getting at is something quite sad. It is interesting to read the above two responses which are positive.

To me, the quote points out that, for the majority of people, most of our ideas, thoughts, opinions are from books and other reading, television and film etc, radio and canned music etc, conversation, plays etc, all of which are other peoples opinions.

It is like we are removed from what is happening. Or when I read something that especially appeals or makes me think “wow!” I am now keep thinking I am just one of countless vessels that have read that too. That, for me, detracts from the experience. Somehow thoughts now seem dirty, kinda used, akin to eating off an unwashed plate at a restaurant.

The quote makes me think what thoughts are my own. Are they thoughts from my visual experience of the world? How are those, clean, thoughts affected by my, dirty, second hand ones?

I also realise that, interesting, having ’shared’ thoughts (from the general media say) immediately gives strangers common ground. What is more important in relationships with strangers than to be able to relate to them? Think climate change, one of the current media favourites at the moment.

As an aside: The civil engineering department at Imperial College has recently completely revised its course dropping all sustainable issues as they believe it is just a fad we are going through. You know, this general concern for the health of the planet.

I suppose it is the mix of second hand thoughts that we have and how we process them that returns us back to individuals, as opposed to, say, battery chickens.

Anyway, I have been day dreaming of the p’zazz I ate yesterday and might go back when I am feeling well enough to venture out, in the cold, for frivolities.

I actually get what you are saying and have the thought the same as you many times. However, as the feeling doesn’t leave me on top of the world - I prefer to choose the postive.
As for your info regarding Imperial College - I am shocked beyond belief. I cannot believe so called educated and “intelligent” people have this view.
I’m gobsmacked…

It doesn’t seem to bother me that my thoughts have been thought by many others before me, or my actions have been undertaken previously. Maybe that says something about me.

What I am more bothered about is why the gorgeous looking P’zazz above is not in my lunchbox, but instead I have a slightly wet, tired salad. That definately says something about me and my insatiable appetite for bad food!

Hope you feel better soon and hopefully we can have our Valentine’s meal on Saturday instead (sob sob!). Love you lots x

The irony is your comment about it has also been said/thought by other people (maybe not in the same words!). I have to agree with Hannah in that I don’t mind if my thoughts have already been thought by others, so long as they are new thoughts to me.

My view is that feeling bad about not being innovative in everything/somethings is just plain silly and an unrealistic goal. Surely its a form of flattery when people come to the same conclusion as it means it reinforces the view somewhat!

From what you said it almost makes me think that you would like to come up with all your own thoughts (which would take a very long time) when in fact life was designed so that we could learn from each others thoughts and therefore we wouldn’t have to begin from the beginning each time. Think about how a baby learns everything (partly instinct/nature partly nurture) if babies didnt copy then they would take ages to develop!

Ah. I hear what you (Han and Kash) are saying and agree. I suppose what I am getting at is the “life is a mimicry” part of the quote.

It is like there are a few puppeteers around and loads of puppets. I am a puppet.

The point about education / learning is a good one as I don’t mind having the same views as others. Hopefully, by learning, we are getting towards a truth about the natural world blah blah blah. I still have ‘issues’ with opinions, ideas, and especially passions. When you look at a painting and it really appeals to you and someone asks why you like it and, try as you might, you cannot do justice to your feelings. You just like it. I think that is nice. What is so great and special to you that you would forgo other things, what would you get up for early in the morning? What are you passionate about? What if everyone else liked the same painting as you? What if they all like the same painting as you just because their thoughts are someone else’s opinions, their passions a quotation? And of course visa versa.

If I were intelligent I am sure there is some parallel to be make with the film The Matrix and other stories of that ilk.

Serious. How about for the next quote: “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” This one is attributed to a man who published one of the most important papers in science without a single reference to anyone else’s work. He clearly had a lot of imagination himself. I am sure you know who.

I love quotes. They never are strictly correct but do have an element of truth.

I almost went back to P’zazz today but now will have to wait till Saturday. I am sure Han will be up for that!

I’m with Hannah.