Another bunch of nonsense wasting money that could be put to good use.

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@oldebabe:
actually, i think this is a great use for 50,000 dollars coming from almost any source—but the fact that it’s coming from the dalai lama seems especialy appropriate.

meditation has been shown over and over again , in many scientific studies to have significant effects not only on brain-states during the actual practice, but also long term effects on brain development.

studies like this might make significant contributions to the science of morality.

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I smell Templeton Foundation right around the corner… preparing media coverage…

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He may be the head of an organized religion but I have a much higher opinion of the Dalai Lama than that of Pope Ratzinger,  Pat Robertson or any of those other religious screwballs on Faux News Channel or Trinity Broadcasting Network.

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This is the key difference between philosophy and religion. One deals with inquiry and clear thinking and the other with absolute certainty and imposition. Can we expect a muslim to put up 50g to test whether islam makes people compassionate toward others?

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Brad, that was my thought exactly. The Dalai Lama is putting his money where his mouth is. Good for him.

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DL is merely seeking ways to validate its claim using modern technology, to actually show to us that ‘compassion’ works ...

Hey it works for them (presumably), .. so now DL is using the language of science to test that theory..
just look at the worst possible outcome: it doesn’t work: well,.. what kind of harm would that produce.. teaching people to be more compassionate is not such a bad thing.

But what if it *does* work? are you not at least a bit interested ...

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I have no compassion for people who are not compassionate.

Will this lead to forced participation in rituals that increase compassion and kindness.  Compassion camps to indoctrinate middle schoolers (a vulnerable age) into being wonderful people.

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“But what if it *does* work? are you not at least a bit interested ...”

No: most would not be interested because to be a nonbeliever or a believer is the same.

Neither can get pass the paradigm effect about their view of reality. Both the believer and nonbeliever have already decided they know that which they cannot know as confirmed believers or nonbelievers. One is based in a materialistic/scientism authority paradigm, the other in a religious authority paradigm. Two sides of the same coin and neither side have a clue they share the same coin with their nemeses.

Fascinating to observe such unawareness in action. Self-promoting and egotism all wrapped into one self-confirming ideation.

“I have no compassion for people who are not compassionate.”

The ignorance in that statement even defies simple logic and reasoning.

Can you possibly see the ignorance in that simple statement? It reveals your total lack of understanding of the word compassionate. This is what the atheists and the religious miss, the difference between sympathy, empathy and compassion. Again another example of two sides of the same coin.

But I have to admit there was a time in my youth I made similar statements but only in ignorance. Ignorance is simply unawareness and we all have it in degrees some more than others. Especially those that are confirmed believers and nonbelievers.

And those that think they have little or no ignorance; have more. I.e. progressive ignorance.

Of course reasoning (i.e. reason project) can only seek truth within their boundaries of ignorance, as the Infinite cannot be known by reason.

Pure reason is unattainable in relative phenomenal world whereas truth is infinite. If one can understand that statement one would change the name of this blog in an instant.

My latest book is how to win friends and be influential.

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Holy smoke, researcher!  “I have no compassion…”. That was obviously a joke.  You know, jokes - those things that help make life pleasant?  Also, I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: look up the Argument to Moderation.  It’s a pretty basic fallacy.

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@JS1685:  Thanks for the help.  Apparently, due to the “paradigm effect,” jokes and non-jokes are the same thing.

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Mental training exercises can be valuable cures for people who experience depression and/or anxiety.

Where once only the deluded myths and empty promises of religion pandered - now there is a space for a rational source of inner peace - something to calm our endless craving for pleasure and aversion toward stress.

I myself once had depression and bad anxiety. Through some mental training exercises (i.e. meditation)  I actually changed the habit pattern of my mind from irrational negativity to realistic, balanced, positivity.

I’m glad the Dalai Lama did this.

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I really respect the Dalai Lama. He promotes the goodness of humankind in an earthly way without getting too mystic and crazy like deepak and numerous other ju ju preachers. Although I feel the Dalai Lama sympathizes too much with various religions, I think he’s on a good track. Its good to see a spiritual leader investing in something that just may turn out to be a concrete science for the good of human nature. I guess we will find out soon?

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