[Shamou]

Omega, Bandit, JEB, TGG... you guys outdid yourselves... great stuff... great input...

[Shamou]

While I’m a strong believer in free will, I am also a student of the “how to.” And I would like to share this and invite possible discussions.

The subject that I will discuss pertains to the overall quality of life rather then individual events. Bad stuff does happen to good people… but I also believe that if we could be assured to make correct decisions at least 51% of the times, we could all be rich… only by playing the lottery… so, I believe that the all important thing for us to do is to try to increase the odds by at least a small percentage and by doing so, the overall quality of our life will be greatly increased.

Now, about my theory. It is called the “RAS Factor” or the Reticular Activating System Factor.

The RAS is a filtering mechanism in the brain which determines which sensory input will be allowed to reach the conscious. And that filtering mechanism is strongly influenced by our dominating thoughts.

So, if one believes himself to be happy, lucky and successful, the RAS will allow mainly the opportunities to maintain that state to reach the conscious and ignoring those circumstances that would hinder that path. And, thus, turn the odds in our favor. And, remember, it only take a very small percentage of favorable decisions to make a tremendous difference in the quality of our lives.

[BanditFlyer]

Originally Posted by Shamou

While I’m a strong believer in free will, I am also a student of the “how to.” And I would like to share this and invite possible discussions.

The subject that I will discuss pertains to the overall quality of life rather then individual events. Bad stuff does happen to good people… but I also believe that if we could be assured to make correct decisions at least 51% of the times, we could all be rich… only by playing the lottery… so, I believe that the all important thing for us to do is to try to increase the odds by at least a small percentage and by doing so, the overall quality of our life will be greatly increased.

And the first thing to do in order to increase your percentage of correct decisions - stop playing the lottery - it's a tax on people who are bad at math

No offense intended Shamou. Just wanted to jump in there with a comment like "curiosity killed the cat"(which, by the way, is the most blasphemous thing anyone has said in recent memory - I'm kidding, of course. ).

[valley]

Originally Posted by Shamou

Now, about my theory. It is called the “RAS Factor” or the Reticular Activating System Factor.

The RAS is a filtering mechanism in the brain which determines which sensory input will be allowed to reach the conscious. And that filtering mechanism is strongly influenced by our dominating thoughts.

So, if one believes himself to be happy, lucky and successful, the RAS will allow mainly the opportunities to maintain that state to reach the conscious and ignoring those circumstances that would hinder that path.

Hi Shamou. Very interesting theory! I'm not sure I understand it fully so please bear with me if misapply it.

I was wondering if you can help to figure out how to apply it in the realm of religious experience. I understand that you prefer to operate in a secular capacity but many are religious and might benefit from delving into how your theory might apply to their own experiences.

As you know, many people experience a conversion of thoughts and feelings in the religious arena. Often, the changes are spontaneous and radical. In this scenario, how does the RAS accomodate that which had always been foreign before the spiritual event took place?

IOW, if the RAS only serves to act as a filter to ones thinking then how does it function properly when introduced to the radical departure from the subject's normal thought processes?

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by BanditFlyer

And the first thing to do in order to increase your percentage of correct decisions - stop playing the lottery - it's a tax on people who are bad at math

No offense intended Shamou. Just wanted to jump in there with a comment like "curiosity killed the cat"(which, by the way, is the most blasphemous thing anyone has said in recent memory - I'm kidding, of course. ).

"To Thine Own Self Be True" -- William Shakespeare

...a Bandit is a Bandit is a Bandit... what by any other name...???

you are needed and wanted my friend... if we did not have you... we would have to invent you...

...in every classroom, there is a Bandit... goofy and wise... bright and funny... the guy keeps you dancing and alert... you never know what to expect... always entertaining, never boring... the modern day court jester... counselor to the high and mighty... in this case to Sir Shamou...

[BanditFlyer]

Welcome back, Valley!

Originally Posted by valley

Hi Shamou. Very interesting theory! I'm not sure I understand it fully so please bear with me if misapply it.

I was wondering if you can help to figure out how to apply it in the realm of religious experience. I understand that you prefer to operate in a secular capacity but many are religious and might benefit from delving into how your theory might apply to their own experiences.

I think you're stepping on a hornet's nest here - my take on it would be that the RAS is a secular explanation of what religious people take to be answered prayers or good Karma.

Originally Posted by Valley

As you know, many people experience a conversion of thoughts and feelings in the religious arena. Often, the changes are spontaneous and radical. In this scenario, how does the RAS accomodate that which had always been foreign before the spiritual event took place?

IOW, if the RAS only serves to act as a filter to ones thinking then how does it function properly when introduced to the radical departure from the subject's normal thought processes?

What does IOW mean?

Looking forward to Shamou's take on this one.

[BanditFlyer]

Originally Posted by vbneteng

I believe that life is preplanned and that Deja Vu is a glimpse into our life's path. Deja Vu is a dream in which we see events, but do not remember until that time of them occuring, hence the feeling. Why we cannot remember them when we wake up, or at a later date, I dont know. But if we could figure that out, wow (at least, I think). So while I do think life is planned for us be it by the Fates, God, etc, me personally, I am going to enjoy the ride and keep trying to figure it out.

So, if life is preplanned, how does that affect the actions you take on a daily basis?

Were you always of this viewpoint?

Was there a change in your life that led you to that belief?

Seems like a fairly stress-free lifestyle choice.

[valley]

Originally Posted by BanditFlyer

Welcome back, Valley!

Thanks.

I think you're stepping on a hornet's nest here - my take on it would be that the RAS is a secular explanation of what religious people take to be answered prayers or good Karma.

Yes, I understood that he was presenting a secular theory and I was trying to be sensitive to that. But imo, there is no way to say beyond a shadow of a doubt that the neurological changes associated with spiritual experience means that the brain is causing those experiences due to RAS functions. Isnt it possible that what is happening could be nothing more than the brain's perceiving a spiritual reality?

What does IOW mean?

It means, "In other words...."

Looking forward to Shamou's take on this one.

me too.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by valley
IOW, if the RAS only serves to act as a filter to ones thinking then how does it function properly when introduced to the radical departure from the subject's normal thought processes?

The RAS acts on the predominant thoughts of the moment which can obviously change frequently. So if one has a radical departure from his normal thought process… so will the RAS.

The RAS is significant on the long term effect. That is not to say that a person cannot have a sudden 'personal breakthrough' that changes his thinking process and drastically alter the course of his life.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by valley
he was presenting a secular theory

...it is not a secular theory it is a neurologically and psychologically accepted fact...

[johnnyburst79]

Bandit,

No, I was not always of this viewpoint. It does not affect my daily decisions as I still do what I think is right. I am not saying I have it all figured out or anything like that, but because I dont, I still make the conscious decision towards what I think is right.

No real change in life, just trying to be contemplative and think about life, God, and how I fit. Then I would have an experience I would think, "man, I KNOW this!". I began to think about how, and over time, as more and more happened, I started to believe this.

I am a fairly stress free kinda guy. Things are going to happen, everyone knows this, why stress over life? It is life, not the end of it. Be happy and enjoy yourself.

[valley]

Originally Posted by Shamou

The RAS acts on the predominant thoughts of the moment which can obviously change frequently. So if one has a radical departure from his normal thought process… so will the RAS.

The RAS is significant on the long term effect. That is not to say that a person cannot have a sudden 'personal breakthrough' that changes his thinking process and drastically alter the course of his life.

ah yes, I see what you mean. Thank you for the speedy reply.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by valley

ah yes, I see what you mean. Thank you for the speedy reply.

...you're welcome... gotta to to work now... see you...

[valley]

Originally Posted by Shamou

...it is not a secular theory it is a neurologically and psychologically accepted fact...

But in your post you said:

Originally Posted by shamou

Now, about my theory. It is called the “RAS Factor” ...

The reason I was calling it a theory is because thats what you called it.

oh well...makes no difference to me anyways. I still think its interesting and will probably do a little more research on my own now so thank you for intoducing me to it.

[Gabriel]

I suppose while I feel it's true there's no escape from the inevitable dying, while I can, I , and my many tiny wills, continue to go on, sometimes very clumsily down a weird path....othertimes gleefully toward newness or a more promising tomorrow. Or placidly.
Always trudging. Sometimes in conflict with others wills, and once in a great while in sweet harmony.
I usually, even at the best of times have a grain of me that feels quite alone. It used to bother me, as I felt it was a wedge of some kind...but have come to know it as the door of most useful and autonomous part of my own nature, both fragile and strong all in one simultaneous movement.
Something that keeps me upright, say when I have to escape a bad situation, circumstance or environment. It too is an inner fire that keeps me warm when the world is icy and somehow alien.
I guess what I really am trying to express, is no matter how the universe, or reality is set up, I feel and believe that if there is no escape, there at the very least is relief.
And then of course, I believe much more lies ahead of that.
Maybe my paradigm is more punctuated with hope, than of any concrete or absolute belief of will vs. destiny.