Lets discuss the meaning of "immortality".
Is it a state of mind?
Is it only held by god(s)?
What does the word "immortal" mean to you?
this was a post earlier
there is no such thiong as immortalityunless you are 3 and it isxmas day
sorry to be brutal about this.....but it is fact.....
In my opinion, immortality does not have to be a strictly physical thing.
If someone changes the way people think it can live on far past the creators flesh and bone. It doesn't matter if they were good or bad. We are still talking about Plato, DaVinci, Jim Morrison, Hitler, Orwell, and many others that have passed away.
To me, this makes someone immortal in a sense. If you make a lasting impact on society your ideas and notions can live forever.
yes, i agree with you.
but those of which you mention did not "ask" for this.
It is perhaps,what each and every one of us thinks.....
I am not a cristian but i do not ...any longer...beleive there is immortality.....
immortality means u will never die or get hurt. This does not and will not ever exist for us
At last? I could have whipped out Websters dictionary for that answer too.
I believe one of the questions posed was:
"What does the word "immortal" mean to you?"
That answer is far more subjective.
Mortal means to one day die; there are so many differant ways to show that perhaps we are imortal allready. First if the body has a soul, it will live n when the body dies thus we in a sence were all ready imortal. when a catarpillar turns into a butterfly does the worm die? No it becomes somthing more beutiful and lives on, perhaps as we will one day also.
To aid my discussion, I repost the questions to be answered:
Is it a state of mind?
From my point of view, it can be. Immortality through story-telling of grand deeds and battles was one aspect of viking culture. To date, Beowulf, as told in stories is still immortal since memory of his actions and deeds are retold, even if he is strictly a fictional character.
Is it only held by god(s)?
My answer above proves that it is not just for gods. In fact, gods can be "forgotten" after the passing of a culture, thus resulting in the death of the deity by lacking believers to maintain their existance.
What does the word "immortal" mean to you?
When I hear the word used, my ideal meaning of immortal would mean that a being exists for eternity and lives for eternity. They cannont die. They cannot be destroyed.
If immortal to you is something that can never be destroyed or ended, then nothing is immortal. Everything, all of the universe all eventually end.
I agree and disagree.
Based on our observations of the cosmos and our knowledge of our world, we have come to the conclusion that our universe was created and will eventually come to an end.
Thus, a true immortal would exist beyond the end and continue to exist in an empty void, or more likely, with nothing relative to exist next to, the immortal will cease to exist as well due to the lack of an immediate reality.
But I can speculate that the cosmos will never end and will exist for eternity, and my true immortal will go freaking batty existing for eternity along with it.
To me it is very simple, living on forever with no end in sight. That makes it very limited I suppose when you get right down to it........
The cosmos is expanding, new universes are being made. There is no end. That's like imagining the earth is flat and when you get to the edge, you fall off.
what does it mean to me?
It means a lasting imprint in time, a lasting scent, a lasting memory, a lasting emotion and a lasting sound.
those to me are goldn moments...
to cherish,hold in my memory for many years....
Live forever either way when you die you still live or you really live forever but I would never want to live forever
For me being Immortal means something that is remebered for ever and always ok for instance some one doing something great such as inventing the Light bulb we all use them today and we all know who inveted it we all remeber that person in schools and in usless conversations or we use the 10,000 tries as an example of never givining up that person did something that many would not have even thought of doing something that many would have given up on once someone discouraged them but.... He didn't and that is what allows him to live on long after he has died...
Mortality means death - immortal means without death, so it means you can't die. it doesn't mean you dont get older, and it doesnt mean you can't get hurt - it just means you can't die. Mortis is latin for death - it's pretty plain really.
if it gives one comfort to believe in it, then where's the harm? one could argue if i am going to die before too long, then what's the point of it all?
could we be immortal? yes - we all are immortal - at least right up until the moment we are proved otherwise - after which it doesnt really matter. think on that.
to me Immortality means never dieing and staying forever young,watching the world growing around you as you stay the same.
I would have to agree with JackofSpades. Immortality is the impact one leaves on others. Whether they be famous or not.
Immortality is living as though you could live forever.
Immortality is a state of non-aging, disease free living
most people see immortality as one body living on forever. this is simply not the case. immortality as far as i am concerned is the immortal soul which takes its place in which ever body it see fit the souls knowledge of this is what i see immortality to be
i believe immortality is unreachable, like that cookie jar your mom kept on the top of the fridge when you were 4, its practically impossible to reach, but when you do....you become a god(to your siblings, cause u got the cookies)^_^
I don't know about that immortality is the idea to live forever and it is attained daily by repoducing a part of you lives on in them and their children and their children and so on. You are remember by the ones closest to you and in that you are immortal too.
well, you can look at it from many different points of view. There have been many definitions of immortality throughout history. Here is what the Britannica Online post for immortality says: "in philosophy and religion, the continuity of human spiritual existence after the death of the body. The concept of immortality is to be distinguished from that of bodily resurrection" (Britannica online).
My personal view of immortality is that the soul, or spirit, lives on after mortal life is over. I don't quite have a definite view of what happens to the soul, if it gets reincarnated or is it just ..... idk, floats around with other souls. I'm still trying to form my view on that. But I do believe that the essence of a person is outlived by their earthly shell.
I actually just heard of a scientific breakthrough the other day. Something about a cell in the base of the brain that IS you; that is, it contains our entire being in it, and it remains alive when the body dies. I'm still trying to figure out more about the study but I'm fairly sure there'll be more views on immortality in the future.
we are all immortal because our souls know no end to existance... our body's fail that requirement, yet not the soul...
I agree completely, the soul lives on forever, either of to a new life, or to another plain of exsistant, the cycle never ends which makes us imortal.
it means to me that the soul goes from one body to the next.
Good point. I didnt mean to imply that someone needed to be famous to be immortal like that. However, it can halp.
immortal 2 means being able to live forever. fogive me if im wrong...and i think imortality can be reached through a state of mind.
Darkling, not everyone sees immortality as something physical, therefore whether it is possible or not the question wasn't if we can obtain it in a physical manner but our view of it, therefore:
Is it a state of mind?
A state of mind, I guess yes if it is about memories, like written history, historic and famous people. I even see Art as immortal and I don't refer as to paintings only but even poetry, prose and any other type of art.
Is it only held by god(s)?
It depends if someone believes in god/s, but the way we are taught it is only them who can have it.
At the moment my belief goes more on the state of mind, therefore even if many when they see the word immortality they imagine the physical meaning, I believe that is very impossible to happen except in our imagination or maybe in god/s so I see no meaning in it except a fictional one.
Also in souls maybe there is immaortality if someone believes in souls and I don't refer to the After life only as going in another dimension but even as energy or spirit and even reincarnation, unless even reincarnation is limited.
the meaning of immortality to me means a few different things.
the basic description is to live forever bu twith that basic description you would still age so really in the end it would be bad because your body would just disentegrate but you would still be alive no matter how bad it got.
now as for true immortality i think it would have to be coupled with eternal youth as well to make it anythign but an endless torture after the first 150 or so years.
and as for it being reserved for gods and goddesses .... i dont really know on that one because if it were true then the same gods and goddessess would be around forever because they would continue to influence everything. its really just a touchy subject that i dont want to go into so thats as far as im going to. but theres my point of view.
But surely the soul has immortality ....
does energy not live on?
I agree with thedog. I think as long as you can influence someone with some sort of permanence a person can acheive immortality. Take it one step further. If you believe in reincarnation that influence is reborn over and over again.
Is it a state of mind?
In a way it is for some people, if you live on in the minds of others you live for forever,
Is it only held by god(s)?
Was Julie creaser a god?
What does the word "immortal" mean to you?
It means you are known for who and what you truly are, that soul that lives in you, your memory in the word after you pass on, how people knew you. Live a bitter and lonely life and be forgotten, live a happy and full life, become a immortal.
I'd say there is room for a lot of speculation about immortality. Everyone has brought out a wide range of views, but is there any one answer? I believe the body was not designed to last forever, thats what the soul is all about. Yes, your memory can live on through stories told by others who knew you, but how long will the story last to be retold? I doubt very much that in say one hundred years, my story will still be being told. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that if there is such a thing as immortality, it must be up to the soul to carry on for us.
it means that a memory or contribution such as a useful invention lives on after one passes.
Symbolic immortality: that's something you did or said that causes a memory of you to impact the future of people with brains (a memory). Bah humbug! You're still dead, so wtf?
Fictional immortality: the ghoulish, vampiric kind where an entity coexists alongside humans . . . forever, and by whatever means. Looks like a human, can act like a human, doesn't eat chicken.
Quantum immortality (as mentioned above): where there is no end to growth and expansion of the cosmos. We humans aren't even in this calculation.
Spiritual immortality: Soul and whatever that means; usually a personal definition (amply covered in other threads).
I don't think the living forever in the same body is possible at all only living on by way of memory or through our children. I don't think the soul dies that just keeps moving on to new lives.
immortality means living forever.. it is not a "state of mind", but it is impossible to live forever on the human plane.. spiritually we will live forever though
Immortality to me... means that you've come upon the verge of dying or wanting to die so many times and survived, that in your mind you feel "immortal" and like you can do anything.
Also immortal is the memory that lives on and on after someone has passed.
It would seem that consensus seem to think that because we keep the 'idea' and ideals alive then that person or act become immortal ..
..if that were true, and all things being equal, why then do some animals only have a memory span of 5 minutes... would that be their idea of immortality?
so surely you should first define the criteria!
We're discussing the MEANING of immorality - not that it exists or not...
The basic meaning is never dying - going on forever.
People can be immortal in many ways - through their writing, music, photography, paintings, events they have done in history or told down by family members.. having children is keeping the bloodline and name going... many ways of immortality than just by living forever.
True ive heard of bloodlines. Thats keeping the name alive so maybe that would make it immortal.
the word immortal in this plane means something you cant reach because nothing here is eternal.
it means something that will be grasped once it can be reached.
immortal only means you cant be completely destroyed
btw, just thought i'd post that my friend believes that immortality is the passing of the name through the generations. a sort of bloodline thing.
some people have hit on it but to be Immortal relays on the people we impact when were here when we die they keep us alive by remembering us telling of us are familes well make us immortal are children's children make us immortal when they tell stories about us in this since. Jessie James the outlaw Is immortal even after he been dead for al these years he's still alive in are minds and on film immortalized by actors playing the role.
But being immortal on screen or in mind is that realy the same as being immortal by definition
Well if you mean being immortal as being you can't DIE and being ALIVE forever then no. But No one can STAY ALIVE for ever. but who we were and what we did and are essence of are being is what is immortal that can never die. we make imprints in life and t6hats how we become immortal
oh...wow didnt know that. I mean sure people will remeber us.
Yes its all true our soul is immortal.
You can feel it spatially too.
If oyu are meditator you can feel it by going into your own womb and from there to space and feel the things from space. you will feel it you are knowing from unknown past may be unknown past milleniums one who do coanscious practice, can feel it. for that you have to expand your senses sample by sample few days and later have to expand your subconscious.
I believe the soul has an immortal(undying) existance but not the body.
My two cents. the word immortality mean never dying, no to be around forever. Immortality mean, (my opinion) after you pass away, that every good though that others are having about your existance,will make immortal in this life.
i think immortality is a hollywood thing.for example the highlander. i dont think and human is immortal in any way.but immortality to me is living forever and not being able to be killed.
what u see on tv. makes it hard to believe the "real immortal.". it only matter what one believes.
For me, immortality means that no matter what SOME piece of you WILL, undoubtably, go on living no matter what. Whether it is your "soul", you yourself, your thoughts and ideas maybe even? But some part of you will always live on if you are immortal. But I do agree with comments made earlier, I believe that no one here on earth has immortality, nor will we ever. Everything that has been "born" into life, must die.
The term "immortality" has its subjective ideas, such as the physical immortality, which by some definition does remain none existant...Does not mean it is not a fact since it still has yet to be proven. That is unless you do studies on certain individuals throughout history on a physical level for example...St. Germain.
On a bit of a crude point myself, seems as though many are rather "pissed" at the notion over spilt milk. Whether it be on a religious level or psychological venting about dramas within their lives.
An open minded point of view would determine that the other levels of immortality would be based on literature. Or the hero, villian stand point. Most believe in these immortally classified characters.
I guess it just depends on what the individual belief system is. Such as how the individual is brought up in their own lives.
I would not be quick to judge any circumstance and or outcome.
I agree with alixaryon on what he has to say, as well with Soulshroude, and his Superb understanding of this material reallity based on thicker, and thinner energie manifestations.
To me imortality is a thing that humans long to have when it comes to love for someone or when it comes to someone not wanting to die because they are scared of it. It comes from fear of what you can lose. Wether it is your life or anothers, all things will die eventually.
If I had imortality I would be miserable because all my friends would die and I would be left to watch everything change. I like change but seeing the ins and outs of things over centuries can sometimes be to much on someone even if they have seen some horrible things. Wouldn't you agree?
to me this is such an ambiguous question, but also very thought-provoking. to me, immortality can be obtained - to me immortality comes when someone no longer fears being a contingent being.
i also see it as the ultimate "bystander" if you will, as all you could do really would be sit by and watch the world crumble..
then again, a "feeling" of immortality can be obtained when people accomplish near-impossible feats.
physically i think that immortality would suck a bit, but mentally i think its an amazing tool to be used to its full advantage.
God of the Bible is the only "being" I am aware of that has true immortality (depending upon your beliefs of course).
Is it a state of mind?
Yes it is.
Is it only held by god(s)?
No it is not
What does the word "immortal" mean to you?
something or one that lives on forever in the minds and eyes of the people.
Simple. To me as long as there is a trace that you existed left in this world, you'll be immortalized.
well I agree that we all leave an imprint of our life in some way or another. Therefore we are all Immortal, we are all remembered by someone. so just how I see it :)
Technically that's not true. ;]
There are billions of people from the past who've died who aren't remembered. There's just too many for everyone to be immortalized that way.
Hmmm...immortality. That can be taken many ways. Living on in memory, or in a work can sometimes define immortality. Aging slower than others around you. Later than average death. Could also be a state of...immortally young at heart for example. So many ways to look at it in my opinion. Not just the..."if you live forever you're immortal otherwise you're just dead" kind of deal.
immortality to me means that forever living. I believe that the spirit(soul) is immortal.
Personally, I think there are two ways to look at immortality. In a physical sense, I think we (as in our physical bodies) are all incapable of becoming immortals. We will and must soon die. However, I believe that God is immortal and our souls, as well, because we have to eventually go into the eternal afterlife. On the other hand, there are writers and artists and people in history whom we consider immortal because of their works and their contribution to the world, that makes them partakers of immortality in a way; though not in a physical sense of course because we all know they are all dead and dust.
Immortality means to me is that you live forever and never die because your already had died once and that is how life is anyway.
To me, the desire for immortality is simply a veiled reaction to the fear of death or fear of the unknown. Learn to let go and accept the transition because it is going to happen whether you like it or not.
Well, to me, it is not just this veiled reaction to the fear of death or fear of the unknown, but actually it is the right thing, it is the right way to be disposed toward an idea, since definitly, if you observe the process or the idea of dieing that one can understand easily, that it is so wrong, to die. It is somebodies game. It is not right in any way. It is bullshit.
immortality means to last forever and seeing nothing lasts forever it does not exsist
The word imortal means you can never die or be hurt.
Not possible
i think immortality isn't just a state of mind. i think that immortality means that when a person dies their spirit gets reincarnated into another body.
To never be forgotten.
Therefore, to me, it means the immortal ones are those who've done great good for the world.
As I've said, to never be forgotten. As long as you live forever in a text book or something, you'll truly never die.
it means to me that something that lives on forever weather its alive or just a state of being
Immorality to me, means when the soul does not completely die. It lives on. I know not everyone believes in souls or reincarnation, but since I do....immortality doesn't have to mean in the physical sense..but more to the spiritual.
Immortality to me would be not to be able to be killed or to die in anyway shape or form. For some this seems a long and laborious existance. For me personlly , it would be the ability to grow and become and learn whatever possible within my means. Learning as I go , evolving from within to reach my fullest potiential. provided there IS a limit.
OR
It could mean one is NOT forgotten.
Being immortal means that u will never die. So the way i see it no one is immortqal cause we all die
I believe that immortality is living on...if even only in memory.
perhaps someday in the far future we will live forever 500 hundred years ago people thought it was impposible to fly. science has a way of changing our world who knows
I agree with BlackHawk immortality doesn't exist I know I wouldn't want to live forever
I have to wonder how people think that having immortality means never getting hurt. It';s impossible for someone not to get hurt whether it be physically or emotionally.