07-16-2006, 02:19 PM
Hello, everyone. My name is Michael, and I'm writing from the U.S.
Preface: (a.) I'm neither Indian nor a Hindu, though my belief system and philosophy is based upon what I've learned through various texts on Hinduism and yoga; (b.) I'm writing this because I'd like to connect with others who think like me. I found this forum through a Google search on "bhagavad silicon." Ask me if you'd like the details.
I'm surprised and pleased to see that other people think like I do. No one around me would have any idea about what you've been talking about, nor do I think they would be open to learning about it. For the past 10 years I've looked at most of my academic studies as well as contemplations on life through the lens of yoga philosophy. And for some reason, since age 18, I've had a fixation on India --- its culture, its food, its religions, its beautiful women, etc. The more I study the more I come to realize how intellectually and spiritually wealthy and advanced India has been and is. Until now I've felt so alone in my thinking. Reading your words makes me feel like I'm reading the words of long, lost relatives who actually "get it." I feel rather silly writing this in this forum since it's so off-topic and, possibly, unwelcome. I hope I haven't offended anyone here. It's just that I feel inspired to say at least *something* now that I've seen proof that there are like-minded people out there. I certainly hope that your kind of thinking, which seems to come so naturally to you, makes its way out into the rest of the world to such an extent that there is no question as to its validity. In other words, I can't wait until doctors in the West speak regularly about gunas and nadis and prakriti and the like. There is so much --- thousands of years of research! --- that India has to offer to the world. I one day hope to make it to India and live there.
I suppose I'll chime in on the topic while I'm here.
> If "consciousness" is as immanent as we see scattered around
> in all sorts of life forms, then I don't see why it can't get manifested ina robot too
I agree. Whether or not that will happen will have to be decided by higher beings/governments, I think.
> So, I think robots can eventually have "consciousness".
As I understand it, it already is consciousness. There is nothing but consciousness. Whether or not it can or will be made to internally reflect that consciousness and thus become self aware remains to be seen. Ultimately its not up to us; if god wants it to be so then so it will be.
> But is that identical to having a "soul" or jIva? I don't think so.
I don't know. If the human machine, which is nothing but manifested thought energies, can be dreamed up, I don't see why a soul couldn't be interfaced with the experience of robot-ness if karma could be dissolved through that kind of experience. There are many lokas. Who is to say that on/in one of them something like a robot does not exist for the benefit of the soul?
I hope I'll someday be able to live around people like you. I feel alienated and misunderstood here.
Thanks for reading if you've read this far. Again, I hope I haven't offended anyone or put anyone off by effectively interrupting this thread with an out-of-context post.
Michael
Preface: (a.) I'm neither Indian nor a Hindu, though my belief system and philosophy is based upon what I've learned through various texts on Hinduism and yoga; (b.) I'm writing this because I'd like to connect with others who think like me. I found this forum through a Google search on "bhagavad silicon." Ask me if you'd like the details.
I'm surprised and pleased to see that other people think like I do. No one around me would have any idea about what you've been talking about, nor do I think they would be open to learning about it. For the past 10 years I've looked at most of my academic studies as well as contemplations on life through the lens of yoga philosophy. And for some reason, since age 18, I've had a fixation on India --- its culture, its food, its religions, its beautiful women, etc. The more I study the more I come to realize how intellectually and spiritually wealthy and advanced India has been and is. Until now I've felt so alone in my thinking. Reading your words makes me feel like I'm reading the words of long, lost relatives who actually "get it." I feel rather silly writing this in this forum since it's so off-topic and, possibly, unwelcome. I hope I haven't offended anyone here. It's just that I feel inspired to say at least *something* now that I've seen proof that there are like-minded people out there. I certainly hope that your kind of thinking, which seems to come so naturally to you, makes its way out into the rest of the world to such an extent that there is no question as to its validity. In other words, I can't wait until doctors in the West speak regularly about gunas and nadis and prakriti and the like. There is so much --- thousands of years of research! --- that India has to offer to the world. I one day hope to make it to India and live there.
I suppose I'll chime in on the topic while I'm here.
> If "consciousness" is as immanent as we see scattered around
> in all sorts of life forms, then I don't see why it can't get manifested ina robot too
I agree. Whether or not that will happen will have to be decided by higher beings/governments, I think.
> So, I think robots can eventually have "consciousness".
As I understand it, it already is consciousness. There is nothing but consciousness. Whether or not it can or will be made to internally reflect that consciousness and thus become self aware remains to be seen. Ultimately its not up to us; if god wants it to be so then so it will be.
> But is that identical to having a "soul" or jIva? I don't think so.
I don't know. If the human machine, which is nothing but manifested thought energies, can be dreamed up, I don't see why a soul couldn't be interfaced with the experience of robot-ness if karma could be dissolved through that kind of experience. There are many lokas. Who is to say that on/in one of them something like a robot does not exist for the benefit of the soul?
I hope I'll someday be able to live around people like you. I feel alienated and misunderstood here.
Thanks for reading if you've read this far. Again, I hope I haven't offended anyone or put anyone off by effectively interrupting this thread with an out-of-context post.
Michael