Does God communicate with us?

Post-Postmaster

Post-Postmaster

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Sometimes we are arrogant of what constitutes communication. Communication can come in a wide range of ways. Sign language, body language, a foreign verbal language. Heck my dog communicates with me all the time.

Now if God is love, whenever I witness a loving act, that love is a representation of God, just as a verbal sound is a representation of an object. So for those that state if God is real why doesn't he just say hi. Well I say God says hi all the time, your just not listening.

By the way it's been a while since I've posted here. I have since had a metamorphosis.
 
Hey thanks Will. Nice to see you around. The place has changed somewhat too. Got married and in last year of my psychology degree. Hows things going?
 
Congratulations on the nuptials and congraduations in advance on pending matriculation... Things around here are pretty much the same...the faces change, new software, some of the old have moved on, others are still here goin on...the prophets and students wishing us to write their papers come and go...
 
Our view are similar.... I see all of physicality of a manifestation, representation in all that is... When you look at another you are looking at the face of G!d... listening to the words of G!d... when we are acting out is because we have lost our connection...and striving the only way we know how to regain it.
 
wil said:
... when we are acting out is because we have lost our connection...and striving the only way we know how to regain it.
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To what are the limitations of one to regain their connection - or in the words of 'Postmaster' - ability to listen? I first try to define this 'connection' and see two elements:

An external element which we witness in the world around us. As 'Postmaster' indicated:
....whenever I witness a loving act, that love is a representation of God
For myself, I often find a connection through nature. This connection to nature can lead me to God.

And, of course, there is an internal element. The connection to our inner self - our essence.

(Can connection to your inner self be achieved through connection with external elements?)

When one has lost that "connection" can we assist that person... help guide them. Of course we can.... but what is it that determines the success or failure for them to regain that connection. Can one be beyond salvation? Is there any "data" on the conditions the predetermines the success rate (or failure rate) of one regaining their connection. The willingness (or as I see, the strength) of the person? What about their mental state which impedes them (i.e. post traumatic stress)? Or a drug addition? Often quoted is "God helps those who help themselves" but often one does not have the strength (or know-how) to find thierselves. An intervention is required - but is it by man or by God (meaning, need for one to become open to receive God)?

Just my thoughts about those who are no longer listening.
 
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It seems evident that believers and non-believers alike trust that they have either been bestowed with or have found their honorable path. I am convinced that all paths without nefarious intent are honorable.

For believers it seems their God basically speaks the same truth and He speaks the truth at all times but religious diversity begs this question; what do people "hear" and just how are they listening?

Some may say that "hearing" is pursuing a fervent hope yet others may perceive this "hearing" as awareness acquired through faith while others may champion a sixth sense inspiration.

God speaks to me through reason and through nature. It would seem that God communicates with everyone who is open to listening by one method or another. The only difference is how we listen and that of course determines what we "hear"! ED
 
wil said:
Our view are similar.... I see all of physicality of a manifestation, representation in all that is... When you look at another you are looking at the face of G!d... listening to the words of G!d... when we are acting out is because we have lost our connection...and striving the only way we know how to regain it.
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That is brilliant Will!
 
To me it makes sense...to others it is blasphemy...

Elfiet... our only choice ever is to change ourcellves.... we can only offer info and more importantly our actions for others, but they need to be receptive... and truth be known, in many cases we are all exactly where we need to be...we all benefit from our time in the wilderness...
 
I often think about what your saying wil. How much can we change ourselves, how much we influence others and how others influence us.

No doubt all 3 are going on. This is often spoken about in psychology, its the typical nature verses nurture debate. We consider it a false dichotomy of course. Hypnotists use charisma to induce their patients, people can have a big impact on others actions with manipulation for good or for bad too. But then do we allow ourselves to be influenced or direct ourselves to these circumstances or are they truly penetrating us dispite are will for it. Is there some sort of destiny or fate that connects people. All intriguing questions.
 
Technically hypnotists use suggestion to influence people's behavior. It does seem to be a truism that no one can be hypnotized into doing something they wouldn't do otherwise.

What is of real interest to me is that an apparently huge segment of the population (here in the U.S. - can't speak to elsewhere) want to be influenced by others. They seemingly give up their right to choose on purpose, and willingly allow themselves to be led. It completely baffles me why anyone would be okay with that.
 
Generalizations obviously work for a groups of people....yes there are those that wish to be told what to do...relieves them of responsibility...
 
Devils' Advocate said:
Technically hypnotists use suggestion to influence people's behavior. It does seem to be a truism that no one can be hypnotized into doing something they wouldn't do otherwise.

What is of real interest to me is that an apparently huge segment of the population (here in the U.S. - can't speak to elsewhere) want to be influenced by others. They seemingly give up their right to choose on purpose, and willingly allow themselves to be led. It completely baffles me why anyone would be okay with that.
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Suggestion is the correct term but I prefer to use the term charisma because some people may get hypnotised by one hypnotist but not by the other. Also some people are harder to hypnotize than others. So there is more to it than suggestion alone. Through obscure readings of famous hypnotists, it has been stated that successfully hypnotising depends on how much authority the client gives you. Freud turned to free association to gain information from his patients as hypnosis was hit and miss for him. Once you have established a high degree of authority it is then when suggestion is offered.
 
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I quite agree with you. Suggestion is the technique. The amount of authority the patient is willing to allow one is related to how much trust the patient feels towards the practitioner. Another piece of the puzzle is the hypnotizing quality of one's voice. Good hypnotists I have met have a sing song pattern of repetition that is often the basis for the foundation of the process. When they are ready to give a command though - that is said with conviction and authority. Good hypnotists are comfortable accepting the authority the patient is willing to relinquish. I would suggest that suggestion is part of the technique from the very start; it is the level of suggestion that changes over the course of the session.
 
Mesmerism.... studied by Madison Avenue ad agencies...if we've watched TV and commercials, driven down the highways and read billboards...read thru our junk mail....we've been influenced by hypnotists...
 
Interesting. Psychologist John Watson who one of the fathers of behaviorism gave up his research and got into the advertising industry in New York.
 
Indeed we humans are walking hypnosis machines. Most people haven't the first clue because their view of hypnosis is of the stage performers who induce trances to get audience members to do silly things. In reality most of us walk through the world in a light stage of self hypnosis a great deal of the time.
 
wil said:
Elfiet... our only choice ever is to change ourcellves.... we can only offer info and more importantly our actions for others, but they need to be receptive... and truth be known, in many cases we are all exactly where we need to be...we all benefit from our time in the wilderness...
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Thank you... Fog has lifted and I understand more clearly.
 
Devils' Advocate said:
I quite agree with you. Suggestion is the technique. The amount of authority the patient is willing to allow one is related to how much trust the patient feels towards the practitioner. Another piece of the puzzle is the hypnotizing quality of one's voice. Good hypnotists I have met have a sing song pattern of repetition that is often the basis for the foundation of the process. When they are ready to give a command though - that is said with conviction and authority. Good hypnotists are comfortable accepting the authority the patient is willing to relinquish. I would suggest that suggestion is part of the technique from the very start; it is the level of suggestion that changes over the course of the session.
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I hate those creeps!
 
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