Here's what I'm wondering. I recently discovered that an old respected friend is studying to become a Dianetics Auditor. My friend had a rough patch a few years ago and ended up feeling happier after undergoing Dianetcs Auditing. Good for her, I say. All I know of the church makes it seem like a nonsensical cult-like place that takes your money, but she's happy. [more inside]
posted by kinetic at 3:54 AM - 40 answers

Yesterday the body of a surfer was found naked and nibbled by sharks at my daily surf spot. While surfing today in the exact vicinity I couldn't shake the feeling parts of his body, both physically and meta-physically were still 'there'. Have one science and one karma question about this: [more inside]
posted by remlapm at 9:27 PM - 24 answers

When I was a beginning Greek student, I translated something, I believe in Plato, about the man who led the happiest life. What was this parable? [more inside]
posted by Countess Elena at 4:56 PM - 7 answers

I'm trying to remember a quotation. It might be from an ancient philosopher or a saint. Someone says to him something like, "How do you know how to do the right thing?" And his response is, "I observe the people around me doing the wrong things, and I do the opposite." That's a very rough recollection, and not enough for Google to help. Does this ring a bell for anyone?
posted by southern_sky at 8:04 PM - 6 answers

I have two quotes about the Christian church from very disparate sources and I am trying to ascertain if either of the sources in question actually ever said or wrote what is attributed to them. [more inside]
posted by DWRoelands at 1:28 PM - 10 answers

I have heard a rumor that some people believe that Jesus traveled to India and learned Buddhist ideas. The theory is that perhaps this occurred during Jesus' early adulthood, before he started preaching during his 30s. But I am a bit skeptical. Do you know where this idea comes from? Do you think it is probable? Are there books or movies that I should watch about this theory? Any insight would be most appreciated.
posted by mortaddams at 10:12 AM - 25 answers

Why/how did this idea actually start? [more inside]
posted by metacognition at 6:12 PM - 29 answers

I was born in a very, very devout Christian family. Went to Christian schools and church. For a long time my faith was the most important thing to me and then as I started getting older (18) I began to doubt. This doubt only increased to the point that by the time I was 25 or 26 (I'm 33 now) I became"atheist". Now, I see that faith played a very important role in emotionally stabilizing me and giving me hope and I want something like that back. My question is why did I lose my faith (when all my family still holds it dear)? And how do I find something equally as helpful in my life? Thank you so much!
posted by learninguntilidie at 8:30 PM - 52 answers

I am looking for some great movies about the history of Jewish art and architecture. I am most curious to learn about ancient and medieval Judaica, but if you know of treatments of modern Jewish art and architecture that would be good to know about too. Any recommendations would be most appreciated.
posted by mortaddams at 9:22 AM - 6 answers

Working out how race factors in in this particular question I'm thinking about - details inside. [more inside]
posted by mermily at 10:07 AM - 15 answers

I am looking for examinations of the Internet and World Wide Web that use the structure and/or history of the city as a metaphor. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious at 9:19 AM - 9 answers

Do Catholic couples have sex when the woman in the relationship is pregnant? [more inside]
posted by AlliKat75 at 9:13 AM - 34 answers

Long story short, I'd like to know how to burn an orange. Any suggestions? [more inside]
posted by chicago2penn at 8:41 PM - 10 answers

I am looking for books investigating the occult as a phenomenon, its history, and its possibilities. Maybe that sounds simple, but I'm also picky. [more inside]
posted by parkbench at 4:00 AM - 19 answers

I can accurately imagine sounds of 440hz. I can imagine sounds of 880hz, 1760hz, and so on, and accurately identify octave intervals. Why can't I keep imagining sounds an octave up, until I am imagining beyond the limits of my hearing?
posted by Jon Mitchell at 12:14 AM - 12 answers

Is there a link between the length of time between the time a crime's committed and the time the suspect/perpetrator is condemned guilty or not guilty? [more inside]
posted by addelburgh at 5:22 PM - 8 answers

I am trying to recall the name of a logical fallacy and coming up blank. It is the process whereby someone imputes a later property to an earlier thing. For example, if someone were to say that Sony Pictures Entertainment Group released a film that swept all the major Oscar categories, because It Happened One Night was released by Columbia in 1934 and in 1989 Sony acquired Columbia Pictures. In 1934, Sony was still twelve years away from its founding in Tokyo, so it seems incorrect to say it released anything that year, much less an award-winning movie.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 10:20 AM - 14 answers

I design a newsletter for a group with an interest in religious ecumenism, and have chosen a Muslim calligraphic motif to illustrate an article about a lecture on Islam – but I want to know what it means. [more inside]
posted by zadcat at 10:08 AM - 4 answers

I was awakened at 6:30 am by around hundred people - some in robes carrying large banners - and a band with loud drums, all proceeding down my street and singing something in a foreign language. What was it all about? [more inside]
posted by theraflu at 12:04 PM - 9 answers

I used to practice at a Buddhist Center in Columbus, Ohio (KTC, on Grubb St). I am trying to find a center in Chicago. I really love the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. I also enjoy podcast teacher Gil Fronsdal from the Insight Meditation Center in Cali, which is in the Vipassana tradition. I also enjoy Deer Park Dharma cast which is associated with Thich Nhat Hanh. I would like to find a center in Chicago to help me build a mediation practice, and obviously, mediate with others. To be able to listen to great dharma talks in person, not just on my ipod. And, to be a part of a community. It just doesn't feel the same listening on my ipod, you know? I do not have a car. I have gone to weird a$$ places in Asheville, NC, where random people start there own sangas and ask you for $, and I and not up for that. So, I thought it to be better to ask here than to do the google search. Please let me know if you have thoughts on where I can find a practice center. Also, I know that there is a school of Buddhist Psychology. Where might I find a Buddhist Therapist in Chicago?
posted by TRUELOTUS at 2:28 PM - 3 answers