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| How often do you experience epiphanies? |
| often - once a month or more |
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50% |
[ 8 ] |
| not often - approx. once a year |
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31% |
[ 5 ] |
| a few times in my life |
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12% |
[ 2 ] |
| never |
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6% |
[ 1 ] |
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| Total Votes : 16 |
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Message |
Natalie
Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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 Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:09 pm Post subject: Epiphanies |
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I'm curious about this.
The dictionary defines an epiphany as a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
So, the meaning is quite open, subject to the individual's own interpretation. You can attribute it to divine inspiration, a Christian God - Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit, or just a Godly view of nature that overwhelms you. Most people would just call it a 'spiritual' experience, one that comes from a higher power, even if you don't know what that is!!
The older I get, the more I seem to have.
Although I'm not religious per se, I'm sure I'm more open to them now, and can even seek them out.
I'd love to read about your experiences if you want to share them  |
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Natalie
Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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hmmm, there should be another option "only on drugs" which didn't come up, not sure why  |
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just alittlecrazy
Joined: 30 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 6:38 pm Post subject: |
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yes as i got older i used to have 'epiphanies' too, when something would suddenly become clear. sort of 'wow' factor 
but as i've got older still, and maybe more cynical, i think that its not the universe revealing something to you but rather its more like joining the dots in your brain. all those things that you've learnt consciously or sub-consciously (life experience) and been taught suddenly come together joining the dots and you see the picture.
the 'wow's' gone and now its more like 'of course, i should have realised that before' |
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ChopChaeJoe
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 8:40 pm Post subject: |
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| A fancy word for lightbulbs going off, or a sudden !oooomphf! |
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Natalie
Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 3:37 am Post subject: |
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| just alittlecrazy wrote: |
yes as i got older i used to have 'epiphanies' too, when something would suddenly become clear. sort of 'wow' factor
but as i've got older still, and maybe more cynical, i think that its not the universe revealing something to you but rather its more like joining the dots in your brain. all those things that you've learnt consciously or sub-consciously (life experience) and been taught suddenly come together joining the dots and you see the picture.
the 'wow's' gone and now its more like 'of course, i should have realised that before' |
Fascinating perspective, although I have to say, I disagree. I used to have these 'experiences'
as a child and I brought up in an agnostic/athiest family, so there was no religious pressure there.
Yours is a rational argument to make, but to me it reads more as an assumption, don't take that the wrong way:)
I think it is more likely to happen later in life because we have tasted all there is to taste (metaphorically) and are no longer so absorbed in the superficial distractions of life.
We start seeking, searching, questioning more etc, whatever you want to call it, as we realize there is more to life than money, cars, marriage, children etc.
On the other hand,.....young children live in the moment and are not yet able to vocalize, describe or even recognize what they experience, so perhaps thats why we don't hear about child epiphanies (or remember them ourselves)?
Just some thoughts... |
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just alittlecrazy
Joined: 30 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 5:01 am Post subject: |
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| Natalie wrote: |
| just alittlecrazy wrote: |
yes as i got older i used to have 'epiphanies' too, when something would suddenly become clear. sort of 'wow' factor
but as i've got older still, and maybe more cynical, i think that its not the universe revealing something to you but rather its more like joining the dots in your brain. all those things that you've learnt consciously or sub-consciously (life experience) and been taught suddenly come together joining the dots and you see the picture.
the 'wow's' gone and now its more like 'of course, i should have realised that before' |
Fascinating perspective, although I have to say, I disagree. I used to have these 'experiences'
as a child and I brought up in an agnostic/athiest family, so there was no religious pressure there.
Yours is a rational argument to make, but to me it reads more as an assumption, don't take that the wrong way:)
I think it is more likely to happen later in life because we have tasted all there is to taste (metaphorically) and are no longer so absorbed in the superficial distractions of life.
We start seeking, searching, questioning more etc, whatever you want to call it, as we realize there is more to life than money, cars, marriage, children etc.
On the other hand,.....young children live in the moment and are not yet able to vocalize, describe or even recognize what they experience, so perhaps thats why we don't hear about child epiphanies (or remember them ourselves)?
Just some thoughts... |
well yes it is an assumption. i can only speak from my experience. also i don't rule out the spiritual side of our existence.
i agree with your idea of the age making a difference. i'm assuming that i am somewhat older than you so my way of viewing epiphanies is different.
you mention seeking, searching etc. under those circumstances you are more likely to have a moment. while doing academic research i've had moments where i've had sudden insights into how something is, a rational experience where the dots are connected (or reconnected) in my brain. this may even happen with spiritual searching, where ideas and concepts you already know are connected in a new way and wow an epiphany. or a piece of the puzzle you didn't have before now completes the jigsaw.
and of course i could be totally wrong!
personally i think a real epiphany is something that will significantly change your life in some way.
a simple example: for many years i tried to give up smoking. tried many times and all sorts of ways. gave up for a day or a week but always started again. then one day i sitting at my desk, i looked at my ashtray (good old days of smoking inside) and then it hit me in a real and clear way how disgusting smoking was. I decided then and there this was my last packet, quit cold turkey and i've never smoked cigarettes since. |
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Natalie
Joined: 16 Apr 2007
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| Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 6:52 am Post subject: |
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| just alittlecrazy wrote: |
personally i think a real epiphany is something that will significantly change your life in some way.
a simple example: for many years i tried to give up smoking. tried many times and all sorts of ways. gave up for a day or a week but always started again. then one day i sitting at my desk, i looked at my ashtray (good old days of smoking inside) and then it hit me in a real and clear way how disgusting smoking was. I decided then and there this was my last packet, quit cold turkey and i've never smoked cigarettes since. |
But turning left instead of right at the intersection can significantly change my life. And I believe that every single little, seemingly insigificant choice I make is somehow shaping my life, which is in effect, changing it.
I think there has to be a spiritual element in there- giving up smoking just doesn't seem transcendental enough.... |
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just alittlecrazy
Joined: 30 Nov 2006
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| Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2007 7:04 am Post subject: |
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| Natalie wrote: |
| just alittlecrazy wrote: |
personally i think a real epiphany is something that will significantly change your life in some way.
a simple example: for many years i tried to give up smoking. tried many times and all sorts of ways. gave up for a day or a week but always started again. then one day i sitting at my desk, i looked at my ashtray (good old days of smoking inside) and then it hit me in a real and clear way how disgusting smoking was. I decided then and there this was my last packet, quit cold turkey and i've never smoked cigarettes since. |
But turning left instead of right at the intersection can significantly change my life. And I believe that every single little, seemingly insigificant choice I make is somehow shaping my life, which is in effect, changing it.
I think there has to be a spiritual element in there- giving up smoking just doesn't seem transcendental enough.... |
turning left or right more random choice not usually made because of a sudden realization. of course every choice you make affects your life but the reason you made that choice ...
maybe giving up smoking when i did means i didn't die of lung cancer at an earlier age. maybe by living longer my life has had an effect some where, on some one ...
if you're really interested PM me and i'll tell of another epiphany thats a bit more in the 'transcendental' vein. |
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