Perceptions

Bowser

Bowser

Namaste
Valued Senior Member
I wasn't sure where to post this, but if the moderators believe it might fit better elsewhere, please, feel free to move it.

So, one of the aspects of spirituality is to view the world from a different vantage point, Perhaps you have knowledge of this, but I thought I might throw it out there and see what people think.

It's most typical to view everything as external objects: things, people, the world. We are separate from all else and view outwardly at the external universe. We are encapsulated within our bodies.

An alternative perspective is that everything exists within our awareness, that the world (and life) is encapsulated within our true nature, which is consciousness. So, if I were to say life is within me, I would mean that quite literally, from the perspective that I am consciousness.

I'm not certain I have stated the premise quite right, but there it is.
 
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And the purpose of this thread, other than as a possible pulpit, is...?
 
A few clarifying questions:
  • What knowledge does this perspective impart?
  • What happens if it's true; what happens if it's not true?
  • Does "everything exists within our awareness" means "things don't exist unless they're in our awareness"?
  • Does "the world (and life) is encapsulated within our true nature" mean that the planet and the stars are not at the far ends of my eye-feelers?
  • Is "true nature" distinct from merely "nature"?
  • How is "consciousness" a nature - in the context that you use "true nature"?
  • What was the world and life encapsulated in before consciousness came along?
  • "if I were to say life is within me, I would mean that quite literally" and it is literally true. Cells are alive. So are microbes. Do you mean something different?
  • "from the perspective that I am consciousness." Is it different from any other perspective?
 
DaveC426913 said:
A few clarifying questions:
  • What knowledge does this perspective impart?
  • What happens if it's true; what happens if it's not true?
  • Does "everything exists within our awareness" means "things don't exist unless they're in our awareness"?
  • Does "the world (and life) is encapsulated within our true nature" mean that the planet and the stars are not at the far ends of my eye-feelers?
  • Is "true nature" distinct from merely "nature"?
  • How is "consciousness" a nature - in the context that you use "true nature"?
  • What was the world and life encapsulated in before consciousness came along?
  • "if I were to say life is within me, I would mean that quite literally" and it is literally true. Cells are alive. So are microbes. Do you mean something different?
  • "from the perspective that I am consciousness." Is it different from any other perspective?
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Simple clarification is all I can offer: If not for awareness, would any of life's experience exist?
 
Bowser said:
Or I can simply watch?
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Safe to say it's experiencing life, regardless of how aware it is?

I mean, "responds to stimuli" is one of the requirements for life. So yes: if something is not aware of its surroundings in some fashion, it doesn't qualify as life.
 
DaveC426913 said:
Safe to say it's experiencing life, regardless of how aware it is?

I mean, "responds to stimuli" is one of the requirements for life. So yes: if something is not aware of its surroundings in some fashion, it doesn't qualify as life.
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How do you explain a virus?
 
DaveC426913 said:
I'm not in the explaining seat; I'm in the asking seat. :wink:
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Okay. There is a stand that consciousness exists on all levels of existence. The analogy being that it is an ocean with many waves and ripples. You are a wave, as am I.
 
Bowser said:
Okay. There is a stand that consciousness exists on all levels of existence. The analogy being that it is an ocean with many waves and ripples. You are a wave, as am I.
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What does it mean for consciousness to exist "on all levels of existence"?
Why resort to an analogy to a wave? Why not just state the conjecture outright?

The reason there is so much cynicism about spiritual matters such as God and consciousness is that it only seems to thrive in a twilight region where things are fuzzy and ill-defined. If these things are real, why use undefined phrases like "all levels of existence" and "I am a wave"?

I'm not rejecting or refuting your claim, I'm simply asking why - if you feel strongly enough to share these possibilities of consciousness with us - you don't offer us more than fog and shadow?
 
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DaveC426913 said:
if you feel strongly enough to share these possibilities of consciousness with us - you don't offer us more than fog and shadow? That's hardly seems respectful.
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Fog and shadows? I can point at you as an example of what I am saying. All you need do is accept your own nature to see it elsewhere. Look, words are limited and simply serve as a signpost. If you can package your awareness/consciousness and ship it to me, you will have far exceeded any sage.

I'm not being disrespectful.
 
DaveC426913 said:
That would help, yes.
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You want me to define your true nature? Write your life story in a book and lock it away. What remains once your story is gone? If I did the same, what would remain? We are not the published story, though we live as though we were individual stories.
 
Bowser said:
You want me to define your true nature? Write your life story in a book and lock it away. What remains once your story is gone? If I did the same, what would remain? We are not the published story, though we live as though we were individual stories.
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Oops. I thought you said you can point me at an example. :tongue:



So, I am an example of ... what?
 
Bowser said:
I'm not preaching. Note the brevity of the post.
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Preaching has no stipulation with regard minimum length of sermon.
And you have not actually answered the question: what is the purpose of the thread? You have asked no questions. You have raised no debate. So what is the purpose?
 
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