[Nathaniel Miller]

Hello all,

It's certainly not my intent to debate anything or attempt to change anyone's thinking. In the interest of keeping this conversation interesting, though, I'd like to add a third perspective on scientific evidence vs. other forms of 'proof'. As someone going for an advanced degree in theoretical physics, I think it's a subject that I can speak on with some information (I'd hope that people wouldn't run for the hills from such an interesting topic, but if it's not an appropriate topic for discussion, please accept my apologies, and I'll not post again on this thread).

My personal view on this subject (and I respect that others' will differ) is that science does afford us a measure of objectivity, but it is a method of taking natural phenomena and attempting to put it into a form we can understand. That is, it is an exploration into existence that denies anything but the five senses and mathematical proof (mathematics is used to divorce us somewhat from the subjectivity of our senses). This is one method, and has led to some advances in human understanding. I think this method is decidedly rigid and quite limited.

I'm not trying to "advertise" the qi-gong system I practice, but I think there's a good quote from the preface of the book Zhuan Falun, by Li Hongzhi, which is a transcription of a lecture given on how to practice it.

I also want to point out that the phrase "Buddha Fa" has nothing to do with Buddhism. Buddha is a sanskrit work meaning "awakened or enlightened one", and Fa is Chinese meaning "principles", so "Buddha Fa" in this context means something like "principles of true knowledge" or "principles of awakening", and is not religious in the least, nor does it refer to the historical Buddha (Guatama).

Here goes:

"What can be understood with modern human knowledge is extremely shallow and tiny; it is far from truly coming to terms with the truth of the universe. Some people even dare not face, touch upon, or admit the facts of phenomena that objectively exist, because they are too conservative and unwilling to change their conventional thinking. Only through "the Buddha Fa," can the mysteries of the universe, time-space, and the human body be completely unveiled. It is able to truly distinguish what is righteous from evil, good from bad, and eliminate all misconceptions while providing what is correct. "

Translated from the Chinese.


I hope you can see what I'm saying here,

Nathan