[MD] Consciousness (explained?)

[markhsmit]

On Aug 20, 2009, at 10:50:31 PM, "Ham Priday" <hampday1 at verizon.net> wrote:

I have a problem with "understanding" that is not intellectual. Like your 
friend, I am fond of Wagner's music and can be moved to tears by the strains 
of Tristan and Isolde. But this esthetic experience isn't "understanding", 
nor is an altered state of consciousness induced by chemicals or meditation. 
I can understand a mathematical equation, a logical syllogism, a 
cause-and-effect process, or a set of ideas that relate to my experience. 
I don't know about you, but I'm unable to gain understanding by reciting a 
mystic mantra or contemplating my navel.

Hi Ham,

Understanding that is not intellectual is most of your being.  
You can understand intellectually Wagner, and you can
listen to it with understanding.  You can intellectualize
a sunset and you can watch it.  You can understand basketball,
and you can play it.  You can understand reality, and you can 
practice it.  

Which provides more understanding?  I feel that
intellectualizing it provides less than living it.  It is one step
removed, and fractioned into words.

Your estrangement from the source, is what is called Samsara.
Forget Wikipedia, what I mean is the experience of dualism.
I think you might agree with me there.  This condition was
recognized many, many years ago, when man had more time 
to think.

It is possible to experience the world in a non-dual manner.  You
may claim that such an experience is simply a condition of the 
brain, but you don't know until you have experienced it, otherwise
it is simply intellectualizing.

There are 4 ways of viewing the world when we are separated
from the source.  Of things have existence, non-existence, having
both existence and non-existence, and having neither existence
or non-existence.  All of these are dualistic.  When I say it is
not terminal to believe this way, I mean that there is a different 
way to think.

You may claim that you do live your life according to your
ontology.  If that is true, you are contemplating your navel
in a most meaningful way.  You are meditating, there is nothing
magical about it.

Peace,
Willblake2