Ways of Seeing
- Exploring Modern Metaphysics -
Meditations
The following Meditations suggested by the author are relevant to answering the questions:
What is "I"? What is all this?
You may find some of them interesting.
Interpretation, the Inner and Outer Self:
The Inner Self is our Imagination, Desire, Decision, Interpretation/Question/Critique, Thought, Feelings/Emotions, Attention Choice and Awareness. These are the only ways in which we can be free, but only if we make a point of it. They are actually only modes of interpretation of what is going on inside us as provided to us by the DNA molecule and to some extent our environment.
Our Outer Self is our Experience, Attainment, Implementation, Application/Verification/Convincing Others, Speech/Action/Expression, Perception Choice and Sensation. They are ways in which we can never be completely free no matter how hard we might try. These are also modes of interpretation, but of what is going on outside us as provided to us by the DNA molecule and our physical and social environment.
All of the above two paragraphs is, at root, only interpretation. We can be completely free of interpretation (for brief periods of time, but hopefully long enough to get convinced of their arbitrariness and of our ability to be free of them) if we so choose. The best way to do this is also the simplest, as known for many years by some eastern yoga practitioners. It is to lie or sit in a comfortable position and simply be aware of one's breathing. As one notices that their attention has drifted elsewhere, as it inevitably will, one should not be mad or disappointed, but simply direct the attention back to the breath. In this way all of our Inner Nature (the standard modes of interpretation above) is exposed as the various preferred and/or induced (by DNA and the environment) interpretations attempt to hijack our attention. Stepping back we can see that they are still all just interpretations of which we can be free (by the breathing, or other exercises). Just this realization alone is 99% of the battle.
Not to despair over the briefness of our freedom from interpretations, for there is a way to act in the world without getting "stuck" to our interpretations. That is to act as if we believe in our interpretations without actually doing so. We can even remind ourselves we are pretending to believe in our internal interpretations if we want to. It's a whiff of freedom in a sea of bondage.
Some interesting questions come up in this vein, such as "Do we desire to be free of our desires? " and "Is all this about interpretations just another one of our interpretations playing a higher level trick?" Brief periods of freedom from interpretation answer these and other such questions.
The main usefulness of meditation (and yoga) is to show that interpretations (including preferences, goals, etc.) are ultimately arbitrary and one can choose. This provides a great sense of freedom and allows one to better understand oneself independent of cultural (and to some extent DNA) conditioning. Interpretation is very much a product of the DNA molecule (with slight modifications due to Experience), and is usually self serving by providing viewpoints that are very convenient or complimentary. Interpretation can also be a great tool for achieving a measure of detachment or at least a reduction of bias when turned back on itself, something like judo. Words and thinking are great social and analytical (even for metaphysical speculations!) tools, but Interpretation is often a hindrance to Understanding if not used carefully and deliberately. Understanding transcends language, and language (and thought) can facilitate Understanding. Thought can definitely be a hindrance to Understanding, especially when it is unbridled or self-serving.
As far as what all this is the Science view is the best (most consistent and best supported by verifiable facts) I've seen by far, as outlined in the first several chapters of "Ways of Seeing". Science also has an excellent speculation as to where all this came from as illustrated in the "Universes Spring from Nothing" (third from last) picture in the Metaphysical Images chapter, of which numerous details are available on the Web. The best overall visualization of human consciousness is seen in the "Self-Defining Universe" (second) picture in the Metaphysical Images chapter which shows two hands drawing each other. Your consciousness is one hand and the universe is the other, or more generally, human Interpretation is one hand and the universe is the other. DNA acts as the parchment connecting the two and each exactly defines the other. The "ultimate reality" of all this is that of Sensations/Distinctions/Interpretations/Preferences in Time by (human) Continuity of Consciousness (which is provided/demanded by the DNA molecule) as part of a field of energy (perhaps similar to that currently described by Science), like two hands drawing each other, or something like an early writing of mine. (Science seems to indicate that all the forces in our universe exactly balance so that seen as a whole there's really nothing here at all!)
Ways of Seeing - Background Metaphysical Perspectives
Ways of Seeing - Continuing Metaphysical Perspectives
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