Is Everything Alive?

[rocala]

Hi All

I recently had a conversation with two people of different spiritual traditions. Although differing on much, they both agreed that on a spiritual level, all things are alive. I feel uncomfortable with this. It seems that 'alive' is just another term for existence.

Anyone else's opinions are very welcome.

 

[YmirGF]

Hi All

I recently had a conversation with two people of different spiritual traditions. Although differing on much, they both agreed that on a spiritual level, all things are alive. I feel uncomfortable with this. It seems that 'alive' is just another term for existence.

Anyone else's opinions are very welcome.

One could simply ask a rock.

 

[Revoltingest]

Most of the trees I've planted aren't.

 

[metis]

Most of the trees I've planted aren't.

Too much manure?

 

[rocala]

One could simply ask a rock.

and if the rock is broken in two?

 

[metis]

Unless we redefine "alive", I would say no. However, some take a different tact and say that all nature reflects God, therefore all is spiritually alive. Is that true, imo? I don't know.

 

[Revoltingest]

Too much manure?

Not enuf apparently.

 

[Katzpur]

Hi All

I recently had a conversation with two people of different spiritual traditions. Although differing on much, they both agreed that on a spiritual level, all things are alive. I feel uncomfortable with this. It seems that 'alive' is just another term for existence.

Anyone else's opinions are very welcome.

You know what? Even as a Mormon, I kind of agree with them. This is definitely NOT a tenet of my religion, but just a kind of a gut feeling I have.

 

[metis]

Not enuf apparently.

Oh, so you're "anal retentive"?

 

[YmirGF]

and if the rock is broken in two?

You could have a chat with both halves in the spirit of diversity.


Personally speaking, though, I think most of such sentimental thinking is simply anthropomorphic projection. I think it is an ancient idea that simply refuses to die the death it deserves.

 

[rocala]

You know what? Even as a Mormon, I kind of agree with them. This is definitely NOT a tenet of my religion, but just a kind of a gut feeling I have.

I guess we have to disagree on our gut feelings here, but thanks for an intelligent reply.

 

[Nietzsche]

and if the rock is broken in two?

You should reconsider including "punching/shooting/striking" as a part of "asking". I personally don't mind, but other people are picky if you say "hello" with a sledgehammer.

 

[Katzpur]

What do you mean by alive?
For all scientific purposes, no.

Spiritually, also probably no, but more debatable.

I would agree that for all scientific purposes, no. Something inside of me tells me that everything God created has a spirit. This is not to say that a rock has a human spirit, but just an essence that is something other than its physical composition.

 

[rocala]

What do you mean by alive?
For all scientific purposes, no.
Spiritually, also probably no, but more debatable.

Hi, this is my point or rather my difficulty with the discussion. Perhaps it is better to think of water rather than rocks. Is each raindrop alive? What happens when they merge in a drain, then a river, then the sea, then inside of a fish?

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

As an animist, I wrestle with this concept quite a bit. Certainly, in the accepted Western sense, no not everything alive. However, everything is/has spirit--everything is at least potentially a person, even if quite different from human persons. We should therefore at least respect everything.

Sorry, got to go, it's Turkey Time!

 

[GoodbyeDave]

In one sense, there's obviously a difference between being alive and being dead. In that sense, a stone is like a corpse rather than a living being. But anything can be a vehicle for a spirit, and in that sense it can be functionally alive. An Anishnaabe elder was asked if rocks were alive, and he replied "No, but some are." He meant that in the correct circumstances - used in a Sweat Lodge - they become vehicles for the ancestors. The image of a god in metal or stone is not alive in the sense that a bird is, but it can be used as a vehicle by the god and one can sense their presence.

 

[Revoltingest]

I would agree that for all scientific purposes, no. Something inside of me tells me that everything God created has a spirit. This is not to say that a rock has a human spirit, but just an essence that is something other than its physical composition.

While I don't see any spirit behind a rock, it's still more than its physical composition.
It has beauty, utility, & a lengthy interesting history (formation, carried by glaciers, & deposited at my house).
So much is there that I talk to my rocks.....sometimes nicely, other times with vile profanity.
But I never expect an answer.

 

[Katzpur]

While I don't see any spirit behind a rock, it's still more than its physical composition.
It has beauty, utility, & a lengthy interesting history (formation, carried by glaciers, & deposited at my house).
So much is there that I talk to my rocks.....sometimes nicely, other times with vile profanity.
But I never expect an answer.

Well then why in the world do you talk to them? What's the point?

 

[Revoltingest]

Well then why in the world do you talk to them? What's the point?

They civil conversationalists.
But sometimes it's to reprimand them for smashing a finger.

 

[Parsimony]

I really find it hard to see how a neutrino or gravitational field could be alive.