The Reiki Cafe 

Dear all,
A post was made about being in a minority, and therefore being brave.

It can be brave to speak up when you are in the minority. But speaking up for what you believe is one thing, slamming what others believe, because it does not happen to be what you believe, is something else.

Surely on this board,if nowhere else, it is possible for all beliefs to discuss, agree or disagree, without dismissing others beliefs?

Believing in Reiki is what draws us to this board, and the compassionate nature of the Reiki precepts might be worth revisiting?

Just a thought.
Love and light
philanty

A view is an opinion of something...agreed? A fact is a proven..agreed? so there is a difference between what is perhaps a theory or as of yet unfounded truth and something that is a proven fact. We advance our knowledge and undertsadning by gathering facts ...so, if I am presented with a fact on an issue that is proven it is another lesson in life that I have learnt. When Ptolemy said that the planets revolved around the earth it was a given in society at the time that this was so unitl 1500 years later Copernicus proved otheriwse....if we all shied away from the truth and facts we would still all beliveve that the earth was indeed at the centre of our solar system...n'est pas? So therefore when individuals on this forum present a view and another individual presents a fact what are we to do ......live in the bliss of ignorance or enlighten ourselves to a new reality.

Hi gavstar,

Namaste ...

Yes, I agree, a view is an opinion on something - Ptolemy assumed certain "facts", later proved to be "views".

How do we know, without being openminded, and generous in our attitude towards others` views, what is a view and what is a fact? Might not what you see as a fact, later be just a view?

It could just be that others have a differing view of which is which. Is that not acceptable to you?

Philanty

gavstar,

/*\ Namate :-})

- ever notice how often people disagree on what is 'proven' and what is not proven?

- and, how often have we heard people say, in effect, I know what I know, don't bother me with the facts

bagl

- and, there might be some question about citing ancient philosphers in the service of 'forward' thinking, though in principle much of what they taught still applies even if some of their 'facts' have been proven otherwise

>:-}}

- tread kindly and even a porcupine may be forgiving

>:-}}

- as for 'bravery'?? In what service bravery is invested merits some consideration (bravery, afterall, can be rather egocentrically motivated)

- let's try to keep things on an even keel around here

Reiki All Around,

All Blessings,

Firekeeper

I agree with your general view on the subject. But something to keep in mind is that certain topics ( especially that which is spiritual) are often fact free.

For instance two practitioners can have the same experience and see what happened in two totally different ways.

So depending on the specific area in question one person's fact may also just be an opinion.I often referr to something as "fact" for myself not as an ultimate truth. If I have an experience that teaches me something or one that reiterates another bit of knowledge I had previously but may not have directly experienced I then seem to take this as fact. But I am also open to the idea that not everyone will come away with the same thing.

The universe speaks to us in a manner that we will each understand and relate to as individuals. For instance some believe in totems others believe in guardian angels. Others have a more patently new age view of spirit guides. More than likely we are all wrong as to the exact true nature of such a being. Some suggest it is really our inner self communicating with us as if it is an external entity. This too may be the case. Yet when I communicate to my totem I do communicate with it. I often do recieve answers or even just laughter if I tell it a joke or vice versa. So I would say totems are facts. Other have the same experience with their guides however they understand them. So then guardian angels and the new age spiritual entity view of "spirit guide" can all be claimed as personal fact.

very insightful and thanks for such a great response.....this is what a forum is all about.

G