Nolondil Wrote:
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>

Quote

> So, my own conclusion is that 'sin' and 'evil' are
> very real, but born of the
> separation that necessarily follows immersion into
> the sub-infinite realms.
>

>
> This is basically a paraphrase of the
> Augustine/Boethius position. Evil is privation of
> good -- separation from God/original perfection.
> But they concluded that this means evil is
> not real. :)

To borrow from the East, all of this IS maya, illusion,
yet maya's effects on us, we who live within creation,
are very real. There's a paradox I accept, and generally
have to live with. But there have been times, precious
few, when I felt more centered or centered on the Other Side.
I remember a strange recurring emotion in several of those
episodes: a feeling that I was going to miss this drama
once fully removed from it.


Nolondil- It's a side effect of
> creation, the unfolding of differing levels of
> decreasing perfection needed to make "the
> universe" as something different from God.

I believe it's a controlled side effect, Nolondil,
where the Brahman-God-Call It What You Will regulates
everything while we Atmen (Atpersons?) explore the
fullness of our individuation within creation and,
perhaps, the attending limits.

Your commentary and Susan's on the unnecessary exacerbation
of guilt brings back some very powerful memories. Those
specific memories taught me an irrevocable lesson, that there
is a profound distinction between the Essence of the "Church"
and the mortals who keep churches going.

Thank you for sharing.