“I think consciousness will remain a mystery. I tend to think that the workings of the conscious brain will be elucidated to a large extent.
“Biologists and perhaps physicists will understand much better how the brain works. But why something that we call consciousness goes with those workings, I think that will remain mysterious.”
— Edward Witten
Edward Witten is an American theoretical physicist and professor of mathematical physics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. (Source: Wikipedia)
Reblog these posts as much as you like. No copyright is imposed. About the author: Keith is a "pratyeka" mystic according to Buddhism because his Mystical Experiences of Reality (MER) were spontaneous. (He is not a Buddhist or member of any religion). He had MERs every year from the age of 15 to 35 years of age. Pratyeka mystics don't teach, preach, evangelise, or prosletise what they know. However, when Keith recognises those who are chosen and driven to seek Ultimate Reality he does reach out to them, cautiously, to help them stop floundering and recognise themselves, know what is happening to them. Then his inclination is to remove himself unless called upon. All Is Well.
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4 Comments
“Extensive as the ‘external’ world is it hardly bears comparison with the depth- dimensions of our inner being, which does not need even the spaciousness of the universe to be, in itself, almost unlimited. It seems to me, more and more, as though our ordinary consciousness inhabits the apex of a pyramid whose base in us…broadens out to such an extent that the farther we are able to let ourselves down into it, the more completely do we appear to be included in the realities of the earthly and, in the widest sense worldly [universal] existence, which are not dependent on time or space.” Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926)
Note: German-language poet, acknowledged as one of the greatest of the 20th-century.
“…the farther we are able to let ourselves down into it …” This begs the question, to me anyhow: What if anything do we have to do with it? Science (Eagleton et al) seems to be discovering some natural activity in the cosmos is dictating our destiny through the brain to being beyond merely human.
It’s interesting that some Sufi tradition has it that body and brain disappear at death but not “the mind” …
I agree with you to some extent…it is a “natural activity in the cosmos.”
In my ebook I wrote:
“The unity of existence and oneness with the divine are a present condition of all life; they are not something to be either attained or achieved, yet are usually unrealized by most people.”
You seem to realize it naturally and often. Unfortunately most people do not.
Thank you Ron. Your book is a must read about a revelation that seems absolutely seminal to the human condition. Good to see scientists of all fields are so aware of it now. I never thought to see the day with so many universities are offering metaphysics as a serious study …
Edward Witten is an American theoretical physicist and professor of mathematical physics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. (Source: Wikipedia)
Mystical Experiences of Reality 
“Extensive as the ‘external’ world is it hardly bears comparison with the depth- dimensions of our inner being, which does not need even the spaciousness of the universe to be, in itself, almost unlimited. It seems to me, more and more, as though our ordinary consciousness inhabits the apex of a pyramid whose base in us…broadens out to such an extent that the farther we are able to let ourselves down into it, the more completely do we appear to be included in the realities of the earthly and, in the widest sense worldly [universal] existence, which are not dependent on time or space.” Rainer Maria Rilke (1875–1926)
Note: German-language poet, acknowledged as one of the greatest of the 20th-century.
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“…the farther we are able to let ourselves down into it …” This begs the question, to me anyhow: What if anything do we have to do with it? Science (Eagleton et al) seems to be discovering some natural activity in the cosmos is dictating our destiny through the brain to being beyond merely human.
It’s interesting that some Sufi tradition has it that body and brain disappear at death but not “the mind” …
Best wishes,
Keith.
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Hi Keith,
I agree with you to some extent…it is a “natural activity in the cosmos.”
In my ebook I wrote:
“The unity of existence and oneness with the divine are a present condition of all life; they are not something to be either attained or achieved, yet are usually unrealized by most people.”
You seem to realize it naturally and often. Unfortunately most people do not.
Best wishes,
Ron
LikeLike
Thank you Ron. Your book is a must read about a revelation that seems absolutely seminal to the human condition. Good to see scientists of all fields are so aware of it now. I never thought to see the day with so many universities are offering metaphysics as a serious study …
Best wishes,
Keith.
LikeLike