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Reading about these insights without practice is a bit like going to the gym and not lifting a weight. During a 10 day retreat without the distraction of comforts, I was able to reach a state of consciousness much like when I was 3 years old. The purity of thought was astounding. Experience is the best teacher.
by: dave_mcguire@hotmail.comWe believe that the experience of contemplatives from all traditions can enhance our understanding of the nature of reality and the development of human potential.
The contemplative understanding of reality suggests that there is a spectrum of states of consciousness. Human beings operate at different levels within this spectrum: spiritual, mental-emotional, and physical. Individual human consciousness arises at the spiritual level and “reflects” into the mental-emotional and physical levels.
Modes of consciousness (e.g., spiritual, mental, psychic, emotional, physical) are expressed through vehicles or centers of consciousness on different levels. This relates content to form and consciousness to its manifestation.
The sense of individuality is developed by the process of becoming aware of and integrating these vehicles or centers of consciousness. Paradoxically, this results in an enlargement of the feeling of unity with the cosmos.
This understanding sheds light on the words of the Delphic Oracle: Know thyself, and thou shalt know the cosmos—that is, know the nature of consciousness.
The fundamental epistemological and ontological question therefore is: Who is the Knower? This is more subtle and more profound than the question: What is consciousness?
This question lies at the heart of existence and forms the basis for a lifetime of study and practice.
Consciousness in this sense is fundamentally unqualified and unconditioned.
Consciousness is not an object: it is the ultimate subject: The Self is the knower (tat tvam asi—thou art that), never the known (the object). It is ultimately unknowable precisely because it is the Knower.
Here is the paradox: How, then, is consciousness to be investigated or studied? To know something deeply one has to become at one with it, not just observe it from the outside. This merging and fusion process is known as Samyama and is the time-honored research technique of the Indian yogins. In order to achieve this state, one also has to relinquish all that is conditioned, even one’s learning. This process requires humility and courage.
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Excerpted from Manifesto for an Integral Science of Consciousness courtesy of the Scientific and Medical Network.
David Lorimer is former director of the Scientific and Medical Network, and is an editor of Network magazine. He is the author of seven books, including The Spirit of Science and Wider Horizons. The full text of this manifesto can be found at www.scimednet.org.
by: by David Lorimer |
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There is no validity to a statement that generalises -Eastern model! What on earth can such a broad statement mean? Please always quote individual humans when possible and if this be your opinion of eastern model, then start the dialogue such - In my very own distinct personal opinion, all people east of me (or name your particular longitude) have one uniform opinion about conciousness, and that is ...blah, blah, blah... etc. When written such the ridiculousness of such a blanket statement will be obvious.
by: ninetydynine@yahoo.comPosting out-of-context quotations from authors under their names is a really pathetic activity. This is simply personation in order to get search engine traffic and these posts should be removed.
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Although I think that Yoga, Buddhism, and other eastern traditions are particulary adept in opening one to such non-dual states, I think the mystical tradtions of most world religions lead one to such a state- many paths one mountain top.
by: DavidThe Eastern technique is really just the revelations of ancient practitioners and perfected souls. They all attained such elevated states by performance of tapasya or austerity combined with meditation.
Today, who would go without heat, comfort, relaxation, delectables and release modems. Thus, the scientist can look all he wants but without the commitment of the soul to submit to the very process of awakening all will be slow, tedious and vain unless spurred by the religious devotion of an ascetic or mystic. No pain , no gain.
by: bvavadhut@gmail.com |
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