Luck or grace?

[ArmsMerchant]

This issue has been debated before, but it is such a key issue, I think it merits more discussion. Here's my position.

In my book, there is no such thing as luck. There are no coincidences, no accidents--everything happens for a reason. Even events which seem painful at the time work out in the long run to be in our own best interests. To put it theistically, God does not make mistakes. Some people dismiss this as wishy-washy, airy-fairy New Age bullshit.

I think it is what Jesus was talking about when he said "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven--all else will be added unto thee." In other words, pay attention to your piriutal side and the material stuff will take care of itself.

Deepak Chopra said much the same thing in his book Power, Freedom, and Grace. I think he said something like, when you are in touch with your inner self (which is just another word for God, or the kingdom of God), the universe itself conspires to give you what you desire. (NOT, however, what you want. We push away what we want, and atteract what we fear.)

My wife calls this "living in the flow," but I don't think she originated the phrase. But as she puts it "I have a deal with the universe. I do my best, and in return, I get everyting I need."

In toher threads, I have listed dozenas of things that just seemed to fall into my lap, and some people dismiss them all as coincidence. But these sorts of things have happened so often that the odds by now are way past astronomical.

The latest was this morning. lately, it has been too cold to drive, and when it warmed up yesterday, my car broke down. My car is now in the shop, so I hitch hiked to the library. I stood by the highway for less than a minute before I got picked up, and the guy drove almost ten miles out of his way to take me straight to the library.

[redzed]

I have listed dozenas of things that just seemed to fall into my lap, and some people dismiss them all as coincidence. But these sorts of things have happened so often that the odds by now are way past astronomical.

Sounds similar to the claims of Neil Slade: http://www.neilslade.com/
He's a brain researcher and attributes those 'coincidences' to advanced use of higher brain functions.

[Rust]

Originally Posted by redzed

He's a brain researcher...

"Brain researcher" here meaning that he isn't formally trained in any Science, much less ones that could prepare him to talk about the brain, and only was an assistant in the self-proclaimed "Dormant Brain Research and Development Laboratory" (of which there is virtually no trace of and which was founded by a recluse - seen here - with no formal training in the area either).


^ Just a heads up to anyone who is interested in the credentials of people making outrageous allegations of the existence of ESP or any other unsubstantiated nonsense.

[Rust]

Originally Posted by ArmsMerchant

In toher threads, I have listed dozenas of things that just seemed to fall into my lap, and some people dismiss them all as coincidence. But these sorts of things have happened so often that the odds by now are way past astronomical.

How the hell would you know what the odds are? Good things happen to people all the time... to people that aren't "in touch with their inner selves" even.

It's specially not difficult when you doing your best to rationalize all outcomes! For instance, in the example you gave about being picked up and driven to your location, had someone not picked you up you could have rationalized it by saying you needed the exercise!