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[ktbrady]

What is the purpose of it all?  What is the purpose of becoming illuminated or evolved?
a person lives, finds their destiny, follows that in hopes of becoming enlightened, and then dies.   Sometimes, it is scary to think its all in the head.  Why do we seek the Source?  whatever Source might be.  I know Something exists, that which I came from,
Have you ever felt crazy?  doubt?  like you want to believe, but are afraid to at the same time? or you feel if you immerse yourself in that which you believe, you will depart from reality and may not see the Truth that is there?   

[Yvsaph]

I have always thought that, much like genius, there is a fine (almost infinitesimally fine) line between enlightenment and insanity.

[Shimmer]

Harking back to my Philosophy of Religion lectures at university... look up Pascal's Wager (short version) here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal's_Wager or a longer version here: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pragmatic-belief-god/ , substituting "God" for whatever name you want.

To paraphrase: if, by believing in God/the Goddess/Allah/whomever, we can live better, happier lives, then that belief is not unreasonable.

Personally, have I had doubts?  Of course, but everyone has doubts - Mother Teresa also had doubts.  Crazy?  Keeping Pascal's Wager in mind, how is what you and I believe in any crazier than believing that someone talked to a burning bush, or rose from the dead?

You and I have the advantage of having lived life a little - we’re not teenagers trying to find our identity.  So judgement about your grip on reality can only be proportional to how well you know your own mind.  I know mine really, really well and I have no doubt that the things we discuss here are real… and that's really exciting!  I’m more annoyed that my path didn’t lead me here sooner.

[Yvsaph]

  I’m more annoyed that my path didn’t lead me here sooner.

I know that feeling. . . and I understand completely where you're coming from.