Setanta wrote:...My objection to your argument was very clear--you provide no support for any of your claims, and a good deal of the drivel you posted about consciousness was replete with circularity. If you have nothing to offer but vague "touchy-feely" comments about consciousness to suggest that it exists independently of the physical body, for which you provide no substantiation, there is preciously little to debate--one simply need say: "not proven."
Nor am I trying to prove anything. I am simply trying to find the words to express my experience in the hopes that it might resonate with others, or that others may have had similar experiences. I do think that some of the ideas I express (and which I cannot claim authorship for) should be intellectually obvious -- the idea that the ego is the tendency to identify with form. It is a mis-perception of who you are. The ego is the tendency to identify with gender, possessions, the body, nationality, religion, profession, etc. That should be self-evident.
Where I think we may differ is whether it is possible to transcend ego identification. I'm not sure an intellectual argument would be of much value here. I can simply say that, in my experience and the experience of many others, it is possible to witness the breakdown of the ego structure (either in part, or completely) in which one's sense of identity shifts from identification with form to identification with an inner "wakefulness" or "spaciousness" or a blissful sense of freedom. It is difficult to find words here, so I am struggling a bit. The thinking process relaxes more. There is silence or space between thoughts. There is something indefinable and vast that forms the backdrop to experience.
Quote:As for your haughty dismay at what one might refer to as my tone, i suggest to you that when you didactically dictate to others that they fail to comprehend you because they are blinded by flaws arising from ego, you can expect to get the same back in like kind. Neo's thread was not intended as a venue for your unfounded and rather silly assertions about ego and consciousness. Neither Neo nor i asked you for a definition of consciousness, your claim to that effect notwithstanding. It was your decision to muddy the waters of the thread with your personal, idiosyncratic and unfounded assertions about consciousness and ego, and you hardly have justification to complain if people essentially say: "No, that's crap, stop distracting the topic."
I wouldn't be a bit surprised if some people think that I'm mad. Nevertheless, I'm using this forum as an opportunity to try to express my views in hopes that others may have had similar experiences. I also view it as an opportunity to try to develop my writing skills with respect to the subject of spirituality. (I don't often get a chance to write on it.) However, I do have to defend my choice of writing about consciousness on this thread since the topic is "Working Together: Can We Restore the World?". In order to restore the world, we have to restore ourselves, and that leads to the present discussion about the primordial error of ego. Until we can see our basic mis-perception of who we are, we cannot restore the world.
Quote:My criticism is that no one's experiences are a valid basis for global statements--and yours were very sweeping; and even if not intended, had a definite air of condescending to explain weighty matters to the peasants.
To the contrary, experience and reason are the only basis we have for making any statements whatsoever. I didn't intend my statements to be condescending, but if they came across that way, I apologize.
Quote: You did not present your remarks as opinions for discussion, rather you made positive assertions as though speaking from authority. There is no need of "deeper" criticisms: first, your experiences are meaningless as evidence of anything other than your ability to articulate thoughts if they cannot be replicated by others;
They can and have been replicated by others. What I am describing is the same spiritual awakening that has been experienced by countless others throughout history and is being experienced by many people today. All that is required is an openness to engage in self-transcending spiritual practice. For most people, meditation is a good start.
Quote:second, your assertions are evidence not of your experiences, but of how you choose to interpret them and articulate them;
There is the limitation of language. We have to express our experiences and ideas as best we can. We are also limited by our own understanding.
Quote:third, you needn't be deceitful (although that is always of course possible) in that you might simply be deluded, and that accounts for why i mentioned religious doctrine;
It is possible that I am deluded. However, I have found confirmation of my experiences in the spiritual literature. One reason for taking up a public discussion of this is to see if others have had comparable experiences or have a similar understanding.
Quote:finally, as Fresco will be quick to explain, for however relatively "honest" your interpretation and explanation of "consciousness" and "ego" may be, they are conditioned and limited by the language with which you express them.
Language has its limitations. It is possible that I am not expressing this well, or that my words are being misunderstood.
Quote:As for alternatives, nothing obliges me to provide you a working definition of consciousness if, when you spout yours, i say: "No, it's not." One good reason for me not to wish to do so, is that this thread is not about you and your personal, idiosyncratic notion of consciousness and ego--so why should i bother?
No, but this thread is about restoring the world. How do we restore the world without first restoring ourselves? How do we restore ourselves? In order to restore ourselves we must first consider who we are. It seems likely that the concepts or consciousness and ego are relevant. If my "notions" are wrong, please clarify.