I am a spiritual being having a human experience

[knowbodie341]

that was awesome and awe inspiring.

[thefuzzyducky1]

you talked into me o.O

[MinisterAnnieMosley]

John, I came across your video not by mistake but I was looking for a song that I love to hear and really wanted to hear this morning. I am a Christian and I don't apologize. My prayer is that someday and some time that you will give my Jesus Christ a chance to bring you into the light. I realize that you came to believe in Jesus Christ that you would then be convicted to give up your way of a life.

Annie

[Timonbear]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

[OSAMANIA12]

I look forward to seeing it on the shelves, good luck with the writing!

[OSAMANIA12]

Wow, this is my honest opinion: I thought it was a bit complicated but not too complicated. Okay maybe I need to give it a little more ompf! I feel as if it's a look into your life, which it is. It was inspiring, amazing, and not like other books I've read but maybe that's because I'm only 17, but anyone with a brain can figure out what your saying. And that's what makes books (if that's what your aiming for) interesting and unique. Overall I thought it was very good.

[jason91780]

You speak so eloquently it's amazing. This sounds like this could be used as a graduation speech. Did you have the honor of representing your class at graduation?

[tommygun649]

God still loves gays, but i do think it's wrong and you should reconsider. Your smart and it's a good thing! But..... God is real and disapproves of it but your still his child if you want to be! God bless!

[movelea]

@tommygun649 Comments anganst his sxuality are often ignored. I'm just offering some future consideration.

[cassiesmart100]

f*ckin loved the sh*t out of that, it was amaizng. I love your veiws on the world, theyre often very similar to mine, especially religion.

[Tzedaqyal]

Thank yoy, my friend for sharing. The words you quoted is from a French philosopher and Jesuit priest, Pierre Teilhard de Jardin. Those words have become my leading star through life. You are so right, the decision we make are absolutely ours. And knowing we are spirits, can help us overcome many problems we face from people that does not agree with us. G'd bless from Yonatan in Stockholm.

[VanDiemen08]

I don't think you can have one without the other but I'm not sure.

[justanote7]

You're "An infinate spiritual being having a temporary human experience". That's a quote from Dr. Wayne Dwyer.

[wwmillet]

Finally, we've got a companion, LOL. You did a good job, buddy!!!

[Mercuryrose86]

All the best to you, I loved this insightful video. Keep it up

[bassgood100]

keep up the good thing your doing i love it !!!!!

[caramelocre]

:-) you rock!! :-)

[xcountryguy90]

I heard my teacher talking about being a spiritual being with a human experience. It is a quote from a modern theologian. It is a pretty interesting concept.

[akfunnyguy]

Dude, you finally figured it out...you were sent here.

[OooHesGood]

GREATNESS.... We are all Gods my friend and you are part of the few who feel the truth!

[jacklaren]

He serves no God at all

[jacklaren]

A SPIRITUAL BEING HAVING A HUMAN EXPERIENCE IVE BEEN SAYING THAT FOR YEARS

[utinaeniduin]

First, I love your channel, but I've never felt so sparked towards conversation than now after this vid. You articulated some good point very well. I liked how you stressed that to exist in this human form is quite beneficial for the fact that we can make so many choices, and that this world system very well may be one of the most challenging.

A question, does regarding oneself as a spiritual being constitute what Buddhists would call attachment to the "self" or "I"? This is a challenge for me.

[jprmpp3]

Just ordered my bracelet, can't wait to rock it! ;)

[LegalTimes1]

I don't like when people us words like "my personal god", or "spirituality" because I can never tell if they meant it in the literal and physical scene. It makes me sad that gays, or blacks and even woman believe in gods, and especially the bible. All the religions you named HATE you!!! If I was gay I would despise those that looked down on me as less. Logic and reason are the tools we use to make all decisions in our life but for some reason, some choose to suspend that for "GOD"...

[utinaeniduin]

@LegalTimes1 I think it's important to remember that everyone has different ways of perceiving the world and for that reason they will have different notions of divinity. So regardless of whether or not they say "my personal god" to some extent it's implied. Also, it's important to remember that it's not the religions themselves that speak against deviance from "norms" it's the humans that have enough power to let their opinions be heard.

[LegalTimes1]

@utinaeniduin A religion is only a group of people who "have enough power to let their opinions be heard". I don't know how you can say its not the religions fault. Mormons didn't let blacks have the priesthood till 1978, most churches will not let you hold any positions within a church if you are gay(if they let you in the door). churches are MADE to discriminate and bread fear and hate. Down with any talk of spirituality and divinity. Leave it for childrens fairy tails and not the intelligent.

[CorvusBruxo]

@LegalTimes1 Base your intelligence in some kind of fierce atheism is quite more childish and ilogical than fairytales themselves.

[utinaeniduin]

@LegalTimes1 Also, (lol) I think it's best not to match the hate that such people as these religious figures propagate with more hate, but instead to feel sympathy for the negative cycle they're caught. I hope that through acts of love and compassion we can touch such people who only know hate, anger and fear and influence them towards positivity. In all things it's best to see an almost incomprehensible net of influence and causality.

[LegalTimes1]

@utinaeniduin The only way to break "the negative cycle they're caught" is to destroy its foundation, and that is the belief in any god or supernatural ideas. When you base your life around something illogical, you are going to be far more disposed to have illogical prejudices and beliefs.

[EyeAmAwesome12]

Aww (:

[TheMamadeira]

Truth is freedom ♥

[sweeney60]

I love this poem! My schools LGBTQ organization does a lot of poetry readings and this would be a great poem to read at one. Is it possible to get a transposed version of this poem?

[123moscowman]

Your silly :) Love it! :)

[RandMcM]

To quote the poem: It matters not how straight the gate, how charged with punishment the scroll; I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

[ToyaLynk]

hey john, I'm recently out (not that that has anything to do with what I'm about to ask) and I was wondering... what are your thoughts on the recent (accurate) surveys that show that more than 50% of Americans now support gay marriage? just wondering :)

[Trippleg1993]

that was incredible..you made my eyes tear up..i think about these things too..but i really love your perspective..i have to watch this again and post it to my fb..xoxox

[miscmccoy]

Very good homily. Just SLOW DOWN so people can follow your points. Pretend you're reading to someone who has to read your lips. It will feel incredibly slow to you, but it's not. It's just right for us. (I had to practice this too when I first started preaching in church.) Very good. I hope to see more things like this.

[miscmccoy]

@eckid1 Religion is myth in the same way that science is myth. It provides explanations for things that human being want to understand. Having a foot in both worlds I'm always intrigued that people think that all that we see is all that there is. There is that and so much more.

[eckid1]

@miscmccoy

Science provides answers through empirical reasoning and evidence. Religion is just baseless hearsay. Science recognises and celebrates the unknown, especially things that are difficult to quantify or to "see." Instead of acknowledging that we know very little about our universe, religions function as a way to keep people subdued with silly little stories. 

[miscmccoy]

@eckid1 I don't intend to clutter John's post with banter about this, but theology is all about mystery it is not silly little stories...though some would have you believe that. Being a scientist myself I can tell you that science is more about politics and what's popular than it is about reason. Empiricism is a thing of the past. In post-modern times we realize that what we think we know is merely constructed. So theology and science both have something to teach us.

[eckid1]

@miscmccoy

Sure, theology can be valuable like other forms of fictional literature. However, the benefits that humanity has derived from science (e.g. vaccines, modern medicine, etc) far outweigh anything that religion has brought us. Also, I completely disagree that empiricism is a thing of the past. Modern applied sciences require extensive testing. Even theoretical physics has a basis in empiricism (e.g. the Large Hadron Collider).

[fabianperez84]

You're a very talented writer and you have a very vivid imagination. It was insanely interesting to hear your perspective on life. It was refreshing and inspirational. I look forward to more of your written material.

[MrUnknownsmile]

John, regardless of the irrelevant comments below and most likely the ones that will follow, this video was truly one of your best!

*hugs computer screen in appreciation, delight and in awe of the video and literary ability of an insightful and inspiring individual*

<3

[Couver87]

@MrUnknownsmile Thank you! It has been a while since I have written and so making a video directly from my words was a bit different for me. Thanks for the sweet comment.

[MrUnknownsmile]

@Couver87 A natural we have here! Maybe there is in fact 'some' hope for humanity as we continue to strive toward our inevitable and catastrophic end...

[SatanicFuneral]

@TheHappyLittleBee GO FUCK A GOOSE PUNK

[MegaAlltimehigh]

You look good without your shirt on.

[martinmk26]

I adore you. You are awesome. I wish I could meet someone like you some day. Shame you are in US not in the UK :(

[TheNoddii]

you should do more stuff like this! LOVED IT!

[AlyLunatika]

This was really inspiring, thanks; keep doing what you're doing :)

[rocklobzter31]

WOW I love this!

[Alexaty5]

Its always inspiring seeing u and ur positivism John! keep it going, ur amazing mister! bless u!

[stevouledge]

Dammmm this was a pretty deep vid! Ps love ur freckles ;)

[rileymccarthy]

Does making this in black-and-white underline the seriousness of it? It requires a great deal of gravitas to be able to do this sort of video. Granted, however, you're saying something anyone could say. But this is the way you say it. So congratulations for that.

[joshsplace100]

Hi John, I'm 134. That is the 134th. that gave your post a thumbs up! Great topic.

I too believe in God. Although I was brought a Catholic, baptized, altar boy, wanna be priest, the whole nine yards. and always will be. But it doesn't mean I have to OBEY every man made law the Church has made. When I pray especially at night, I'm talking TO God. Isn't it great to have a Supreme Being to go to whenever you have a problem or even better, a "Thanks God" moment, and mean it?

w/Hugs

Josh

[renerdrat]

cool video..... I feel like I once took so many choices for granted. Because at this point in time, I really don't have as many decisions like so many other people have due to health problems. I just see how extremely extremely blessed I once was, and how great my life was too....

[yagoloro]

Special content, unique being, :)

[HaouDavid]

That was amazing. :)

[barbwirerope]

this is what happens when some people get too much attention. they start believing their own hype. thanks, couver, this was very enlightening:(~

[MDkid1]

I feel blessed...most definitely!

[aboodapaloozaSHOW]

u set me free with ur strong intellectual words...

[gordogreat74]

I think this way sometimes too.

[oldclown]

This is a beautiful essay that you have written.

The thoughts are well organized and the depth of feeling in the writer is apparent.

However, your strongest videos are the ones where you just talk to us.

But still, it was nice to hear you read your own words.

The beliefs you express are very much like Gnosticism - the first "heresy" - that questioned whether Jesus was actually here or just a projection of the divine in human form.

Have you read Teilhard de Chardin? You almost quote him.

[miscmccoy]

@oldclown There is nothing at all gnostic about this piece.  It is actually the first orthodox theology I've run into in a long time. Panentheism is not a heresy it is in fact orthodox Christianity, much older orthodoxy than that of Karl Barth. Very refreshing.

[EmazingElliot]

its like you took the words out of my mouth :) x

[MickieManiac505]

Why are the "Top comments" so negative or involving negative things! This video was beautiful I love how you look at things John and you live by the same philosophy I do (: Please make more videos of you sharing your thoughts and wisdom I highly appreciate them (:

[MatthewLeelev]

I just love you!! =D

[Fr4yTheStrings]

very interesting! enjoyed it :)

[jutcybaby]

That was amazing!

[DayRNitte]

i ponder to extremes liek that too :O

so glad to know im not alone ^ ^

[Whtevrichooz98]

I like how u talk about spiritual beings its cool lol=D i do believe that we r spiritual beings as well =D

[gogogoch]

Although I disagree with the spiritual aspect of this video, I agree with the message. We are the only species that have the capacity to make important decisions that could affect the rest of their lives and foresee and accept our own mortality.

Unfortunately, there are many people that will tell us that our decisions are wrong and as a result, many opportunities are wasted. It's a shame that we don't have more freedoms from the restraints of society, religion, race, nationality and wealth.

[musicfreak769]

That was really deep. I tend to ponder on the meaning of existence, and what it is to be apart of this "human experience." :)

[webly09]

You need to have your boyfriend on again! :)

[MauiWowie77]

Nice hat ;)

[HotMissa]

Very inspiring and thought provoking. Really loved it John. Stay sweet <3

[justanote7]

It's a familiar quote and I always liked it! "We are all eternal spiritual beings living a temporary human experience." The backstory for this concept says that we come in and out of "temporary human experience" ... perhaps once and perhaps many times. It also supposes that the "spiritual being" who is YOU and ME, existed before, and will exist after, this particular temportary human experience. Perhaps next time you will live a female, short, negro, Swahili-speaking, straight experience!

[TheShakty1]

Although i do agree that we are the most intellectually evolved organism on this planet, i do not agree that we were created by a god. the more i study and understand evolution the more i understand why we need to think that we do.

:) peace.

[gutaitas]

@TheShakty1 I totally agree with you

[rippinsteo]

@TheShakty1 : I think the very fact that we exist in the Universe--billions of intelligent, self-aware I Ams--argues powerfully for the possibility that there exists elsewhere in universal reality an even greater I AM. Peace, love and light to you.

[TheShakty1]

@rippinsteo yes, there could be very possible another type of life existing somewhere in this universe, i did not argue against that.

[QueerAsFaith]

Very inspiring ... thanks for the post.

[SatanicFuneral]

you're a piece of shit having a fart! get the fuck out with your spirituality you gay shithead

[MrUnknownsmile]

@SatanicFuneral You are back again with your limited vocabulary and your stupid insults. To me you sound like a 12 year old troll. Come here, somebody needs a hug!

[SatanicFuneral]

@MrUnknownsmile go fuck yourself in hell mother fucker! i don't take words from no gays

[MrUnknownsmile]

@SatanicFuneral Hugs and kisses my angry little friend, hugs and kisses!

[Ryners]

@SatanicFuneral you don't take words from no gays, you just watch videos of them shirtless.

[SatanicFuneral]

@rjnovac WHAT? MY FUNERAL. YOU FUCKING RETARD! YOU REPLIED TO SOMEONE ELSE. GO FUCK YOURSELF IN HELL MOTHER FUCKER I DON'T BOW DOWN TO SATAN I BOW TO NOBODEH! I JUST CHOSE THIS NAME BECAUSE IT'S FUNNY

[Couver87]

@MrUnknownsmile I blocked his ass. Loser.

[isaacdahab1]

omg every sentence is a different take

[Darozuma]

So true, so amazing, beautiful thinking. Thanks I am speechless

[mauwarrior]

dude! you'd like be like my bestfriend if you lived in my hometown :)

[HalfofMyInnerme]

-.- why do we live so far apart T.T

[liotie]

I wish that the world would be full of poeple that some people call ''old soul'' I dont know if you heard about that concept but I know this because I am an old soul when I was 10 I was talking like 16 and now that Im 18 I have huge thinking about how the world work and how everything fit perfectly into everything else. No one teached me those idea so how is that possible for me to have that kind of thinking ?

[SatanicFuneral]

@liotie dude you're fucked up in the head. seek help

[liotie]

@SatanicFuneral Oh great I post a comment without any hate, trying to share something that alot of poeple know (especially in my city) and a retard (like you) have to call me fucked up and say I need help ? Lots of poeple know about the old soul thing so if you dont know what Im talking about search it instead of calling poeple fucked up its just disrespectful and rude.

[sunflyer40]

I love you, in a totally spiritual way! The fact that you have a good looking face is just iceing on the cake. You are a very wonderful being!

[SatanicFuneral]

@sunflyer40 and you are very retarded

[sunflyer40]

@SatanicFuneral Hate much!? LOOOOOOL I'm sorry life is too short to be a prisoner of hate, anger, bitterness etc. Not participating - there is help out there for you if you want it . bye

[rjnovac]

You are wise beyond your years!

Bravo.

[rjnovac]

@SatanicFuneral I know i will never see one in you.

[SatanicFuneral]

@rjnovac i'm making a matrimonial website with numerology analysis. i already finished the biorithm script and i'm a student of informatics so yes i AM wise! my site is prieteni "d0t" unlimitedhost "d0t" tk

[IndiaJacob]

@SatanicFuneral First, just because you made a website doesn't make you wise. Second, why would anywould give a fuck about a matrimonial website with numerology analysis. That just makes you stupid cuz you're making something no one is going to give a fuck about. I might as well go watch something as stupid as Jersey Shore for that matter.

[SatanicFuneral]

@IndiaJacob EAT SHIT AND DIE FUCKING SHITHEAD! YOU GOT NO IDEA WHAT NUMEROLOGY MEANS YOU SICK FUCK. FATHER FUCKING DIRTY ASS BITCH GO DIE IN A FILTHY DITCH!

[IndiaJacob]

@SatanicFuneral Awwwww I love you too!!!

[Rockguitarnow]

I love it :)

[smurfit24]

very well written piece of inspiration :-)

[scialabba81]

What editor do u use fir your videos?

[hiyubin2901]

damn, you look like Jason Mraz with the hat on.

[incredibololo]

i love you :)

[Aveline042]

<3 this video :)

[sechmetariel]

Excelent Words kiddo.

[kylekid1223]

love your vids :) cutie :D

[Sharkan16]

good points

[phychoangel15]

Cool Story Bro....

[sharkfreak450]

I REALLY like how you say we're not a fish stuck in a pond or a tree stuck in a yard. We have the ability to make our own choices & this reminds me that I can make my own choices to try & do something great in this world. The human mind is an incredible thing & what we do with our minds is our choice to turn those into actions which ultimately can have a positive or negative effect on our surroundings & people around us. Thanks for the great video, keep up the great work! I love your videos!!!!

[sharkfreak450]

I really like this, I've been reading a lot on our oceans and the impacts mankind has had on the oceans and our planet. I've really been thinking about the whole ethics/philosiphy about our choices, everyday choices we make whether they are big like protesting oil companies or riding a bike or using reusable bags. No matter what our choices are, they affect everything around us whether we may see the impacts or not. It's made me realize that all our choices will come back to us in time.

[outsiderofcal]

"to inhabit a body like this, that happens to be male, tall, caucasian, English speaking and gay"

He won the gay lottery. Damn I turned out to be a small gay asian boy... Life has nothing for me...

[LukeBasarab]

@outsiderofcal No, I lost the gay lotery for being gay and Polish. Can't even emigrate to a more tolerant country 'cause all the West thinks we're all drunk plumbers ;/

[fandude15]

@outsiderofcal awww no u can always make it as a twink dont give up jk ur life is wat u make it love ur self i love the way i look although other people may not

[gordogreat74]

@outsiderofcal Small & Asian is not a bad thing my friend! =:)

[TheShakty1]

@outsiderofcal dude... gay asian boys are hot xD

[outsiderofcal]

@TheShakty1 There's no denying that gay asian boys have to face much more discrimination than white gay males

[TheShakty1]

@outsiderofcal totally agree with you there... now how about a gay south Asian boy that immigrated to Canada whos dating a gay asian boy...

[Alexaty5]

@outsiderofcal it may not always be easy but u can try to go for the goal of making life good for u, i guess thats why we're here, life can have a lot for u, u just have to search it, im sure u can :)

[microphon3]

@outsiderofcal grass is always greener

[outsiderofcal]

@microphon3 his grass sure is green :)

[kiddooo10]

i really love this. it's very thought provoking

[Larainge]

i like this video alot

[wood2323]

All my former said with what I'll call internet love.

[the8D8D8D]

why black and white all of a sudden lol?

[alx64uzumaki]

@the8D8D8D it fits the mood of the video :)

[wood2323]

You are still a very young man. And like a lot of your peers you are engaging in what sounds like late hight dorm room conversation here. You haven't been out of school that long after all. So this is ,sort of , forgitable. But I know your mind is more subtle than this "Let the Sun Shine In" sort of hippy chater. I have watched a lot of our videos and know that you are an interesting articulate guy most of the time. Don't let your new enviroment of San Francisco overwhelm you.

[jhr459]

@wood2323 - I think that those 'late night dorm conversations' are often when we were the most authentic-not bound by societal rules, company rules, the 'norms' that society places on us. I would certainly rank those 'dorm' conversations much higher than the banality that is cocktail chatter or golf course deal making. Again, I don't think we are ever more authentic than when we are unencumbered by societal mores. I am lucky-I never had to work and could engage in 'hippy' chatter at will. TFKid

[idunno22909]

@wood2323 (ahem) *night, forgettable, chatter, your, environment

Sorry, I couldn't resist. Now, whats the problem with being spiritual instead of religious, existential instead of ignorant, reasonably optimistic instead of pessimistic, understanding instead of selfish, or open-minded instead of closed-minded?

[witch26071]

Human Experience, Truman Trextirence!

[WWIIwolf]

hahaha cool i was reading this but couldnt thanks my dylxsia. Thanks thanks was a very well wrighten staitment. 

[TimbocClock20]

good vid and fuck perfection!

[thekiddeathzone]

Oh such a wonderful person you are. I have great respect for you.

[WiccanAlex]

awesome and beautiful :)

[soulessemo666]

loved it :) You're an amazing guy love <3

[jhonnynotas]

first one to comment ;)

[soulessemo666]

@jhonnynotas next time-try to get last.

[jhonnynotas]

@soulessemo666 i cant since you always are :)

[soulessemo666]

@jhonnynotas hahaa dammmnn you got me xD