This word came into my head today... and I started thinking of how mankind first came into contact with it. So, I dug out my dictionary... and its first definition is: A feeling of uncertainty; an undecided state of mind. Number 2, is an inclination to disbelieve. Number 3, an uncertain state of things. Number4, a lack of full proof or clear indication. The definition goes on to reflect the softening of the word, as our society has changed.

Why the need to clarify a word in such detail? As a writer of words I know that words very often go far beyond their initial meanings, and we can understand them on different levels. All we really need is the basic implication of a word in context with other words (sentence).

All we really need to be told is the first definition... a feeling of uncertainty. This is what doubt is. So, let's try and imagine how man first came into contact with doubt... and what he learned from it.

I believe that doubt didn't start out (like all IMPORTANT words) as a word. It would have started as a feeling. An incommunicable feeling in your gut that something just isn't right. At this period in mankinds history, this would have meant the difference between life and death.

Whenever you doubt something, do not hide it away in the pit of your stomach. Do not automatically think that this world is in such organisation that we are safe in our beds, or that the scientists know everything. When you doubt something, question it. As it could mean the difference between life and death.

I believe that if we vigorously search for the truth we will find it, and that we must make a stand for it. The time to make a stand for what we believe to be true would be now... maybe, before it's too late.

Yeah toke it up before the next big asteroid hits in 2015 and enjoy everyday as it comes without being riddled with doubt and fear

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http://www.rollitup.org/marijuana-pi...ex.php?u=19179

Well said, old friend.
My entire life has been in pursuit of the truth. Or at the very least, the closest approximation of truth where I can find it, both in the empirical and subjective sense.
So many people are afraid of confronting the world that they live in and questioning it. Doubt and fear rule, leading many to conform and consigning the search for truth to intellectuals and the truly motivated. But what are we here for, if not to search for true meaning? Or to give meaning to the things that improve the quality of life- spiritually, physically, and mentally? When we leave this world, the only thing we leave behind is the legacy of our lives to those whose lives we've touched. And if we tackle the bigger questions, and share our findings, our legacy lives on that much more, and touches many more lives.

The world remembers Sarte, Plato, Einstein, and Van Gogh. People remember great ideas and acts of creation such as art or literature. You don't need to be as well placed as Michelangelo to create something that touches many as deeply as the Sistine Chapel.

So many people I know are afraid to find out who they are. Or search out their personal spirituality, or explore philosophy. Many of them smoke because this blessed plant makes them worry less- it keeps the nagging feeling that they're not really "living life" at bay. For me, it's a chance to look at things in a different light, as it is with any altered state. With every passing year, the great thinkers bring us closer to empirical truth. But how much more interesting would this world be if all thinkers, great or not, dispelled fear by bringing certainty into their lives in a search for their own subjective truth.

As Frank Herbert said in the Dune series, in a prayer called the "Litany of Fear":

"Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear: I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past, I will turn to the inner eye to see my path. When the fear has gone, there will be nothing; only -I- will remain."

Everytime we give into our fear, we give up choice, and the chance for improved happiness and the act of meaningful creation. We allow other to rule us, by fads and conformity. For some, this is a comfort zone, and to search, to face doubt, is to bring discomfort. Little do they know that by facing fear, moment to moment... You can eventually conquer it. Knoweldge is truly power.

~Ethno

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This user does not in any way advocate the breaking of any law, as these laws are generally in place for a good reason. This user does, however, encourage others to question the conceptual framework of their reality, to search for objective truth, and to fight for freedom, both external and internal. Inherent in the right to life and the pursuit of happiness is the freedom to speak and believe as one pleases, and the freedom to use their minds and bodies as they see fit, free from external control, so long as they cause no harm to anyone else in the process.

"For it is not what goes into your mouth that will defile you; rather, it is what comes out of your mouth that defiles you." - Jesus of Nazareth

"An if it harm none, do what ye will" - Wiccan Rede

This user, like anything purported to be said or done by his person, is completely fictitious in nature. That being said, I reject your reality and substitute my own.

Thankyou ethno'... and for the very well defined response.

Yes, we must all face fear. Within that is where you find the truth.

I could go on, but I feel I'd only be repeating what has already been said.

Dunno if it's because RIU is so large these days but I haven't seen you around much lately ethno'.

Change is constent, therfore doubt is constent, therefore fear is constant, therefore pain is constant, therefore relief is constent, therfore death is constent, therefore sadness is constent, therefore persute of happiness is constent, therefore work is constent, therefore reward is constent,

therefore change is constent, therfore doubt is constent, therefore fear is constant, therefore pain is constant, therefore relief is constent, therfore death is constent, therefore sadness is constent, therefore persute of happiness is constent, therefore work is constent, therefore reward is constent,

therefore change is constent, therfore doubt is constent, therefore fear is constant, therefore pain is constant, therefore relief is constent, therfore death is constent, therefore sadness is constent, therefore persute of happiness is constent, therefore work is constent, therefore reward is constent,

therefore change is constent, therfore doubt is constent, therefore fear is constant, therefore pain is constant, therefore relief is constent, therfore death is constent, therefore sadness is constent, therefore persute of happiness is constent, therefore work is constent, therefore reward is constent, therefore change is constent

therfore repitition is constent,

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"They must find it difficult...Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than the truth as authority"

Change is constant, therefore doubt is constant?

How did you arrive at this?

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"They must find it difficult...Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than the truth as authority"

I am sometimes scared to question the norm, hopefully a habit I will get out of. I just feel stupid doing it as most ppl think its the way it is, and should stay

Ah! Yes, I see it now. Still though, those doubts must be confronted.

yes i like that attitude, i have always ran away from or procrastinated on dealing with any troubles or "issues".

so in order to survive change and win, you must confront all uncertanty and doubt on a regular basis due to its constant changing nature. then once you have gotten up to date in confronting everything current it will be much easyer to confront the new issues that wil be arising because you wont have a backlog of confrontations you need to take care of in your psyche.

if you dont do this then all your doubts and uncertainties that remain unconfronted will pile up making you a slave to your own mind and self.

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"They must find it difficult...Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than the truth as authority"