The Godfather of consciousness theory: Plato -Theory of the forms. Also, his cave analogy is an interesting thought as well.
Not necessarily. The molecules taken only give glimpse of the power of true reality. I doubt our organic bodies will ever really obtain the true power of one. When we pass we will
If we were living in a dreamers world populated by their subconscious then we would all be one of the same mind.
Possibly. But maybe not. Modern science has yet to figure out what exactly creates consciousness. Obama's "decade of the brain" project will try to do that - they'll only come up with more theories IMO. Scientists have been looking at a subatomic level and only have theories. Outside the origin of the universe I believe human consciousness is the biggest mystery to humans.
Whatever consciousness is it's no mystery that it's a physically-dependent phenomenon - something that emerges from and relies on physical processes. Plato was smart enough so that he would have taken that into account. FWIW a significant number of modern philosophers still take Platonic realism seriously when it comes to mathematical or moral "forms", but the application to the self or consciousness is not taken seriously.
Do Buddhists have direct links to the almighty? The Christian (Catholic) life demands participation in a structure every Sunday morning and encourages a community reverence. Their heirachy had tainted follower belief in their system with human flesh and worldly asset satisfaction. I once lectured for a Catholic church for a 6AM mass. One day, the priest called me over and asked if I did drugs because I slurred some word pronounciation. I was insulted and told him to find another because he just alienated me. His personality was larger than his role as well. I dropped the middle man that day and never looked back. The Catholic system has too much human control from men that do not have a real family and in some cases sick preists have poisined families with their own agenda and actions. .
They are very different. Excerpts from the comments at the end of Magnifier's site: There is no me, there is no soul and there is no god or higher being...you do not have to put faith in the Buddha, and you can make up your mind if you agree with what he says or not and still be your own person. You don't have to be a Buddhist if you don't want to...that's what the Buddha teaches really, think, listen and be your own master. For there is no punishment or hell or heaven in Buddhism, unless you want it to be...The holy eightfold way...in comparison to religions where your trust/believe in Good/Brahman/Atman is all you need...To pray as a buddhist "May all beings be happy" is not the same as "Our father in heaven".
