When you say there is no observer-independent existence, do you mean that everything that exists is because of consciousness? That there is no external reality outside of consciousness? Or am I misunderstanding?
Great question. Whether there is anything outside consciousness seems to me to be unknowable, since anything we know is in consciousness. People (so-called materialists and idealists) have varying views on that question, and on that, I remain agnostic. But assuming there is something “out there,” then whatever appears is a kind of momentary relational creation of the observing consciousness and the observed whatever-it-is. We all see the world differently, and bees, ants and bats see it even more differently. I’ve always loved a question posed by Zen Master Dogen: "Is it that there are various ways of seeing one object, or is it that we have mistaken various images for one object?" Mainly, I just wanted to suggest that nothing that appears has the persisting, substantial nature that it seems to have. It is a fleeting appearance, which doesn't mean it should be discounted.
This question arises often. Your answer, Joan, is insightful and practical. (Practical in the sense that it can put the question to rest.) This is sufficient, however, it may also interest the non-dual / spiritual community that the view of reality from science appears to be in the early stages of a paradigm shift, similar to those associated with Newton and Einstein. The materialist premise, including assumptions about matter, energy, the time / space continuum and the "Big Bang," are becoming shaky. Exploration by scientists and mathematicians of alternatives include consciousness itself as the grounding fabric of What Is. This amazes me. Many possible sources for ideas and news, but if one is interested, this podcast is a possible entry. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0F78AZuaO1AaaoDIa8DnBz?si=4c048a074af04041
Yes, I've heard a lot of Hoffman, Spira, Kastrup, and many others who spoke at SAND conferences and/or whose YouTubes I've watched. And a very interesting book is The Grand Delusion by Zen teacher and former science writer Steve Hagen.
Love your writings Joan. Clear and simple no bs. Just read your latest post. Clear and to the point. Thank you.
brilliant. thank you for sharing
When you say there is no observer-independent existence, do you mean that everything that exists is because of consciousness? That there is no external reality outside of consciousness? Or am I misunderstanding?
Great question. Whether there is anything outside consciousness seems to me to be unknowable, since anything we know is in consciousness. People (so-called materialists and idealists) have varying views on that question, and on that, I remain agnostic. But assuming there is something “out there,” then whatever appears is a kind of momentary relational creation of the observing consciousness and the observed whatever-it-is. We all see the world differently, and bees, ants and bats see it even more differently. I’ve always loved a question posed by Zen Master Dogen: "Is it that there are various ways of seeing one object, or is it that we have mistaken various images for one object?" Mainly, I just wanted to suggest that nothing that appears has the persisting, substantial nature that it seems to have. It is a fleeting appearance, which doesn't mean it should be discounted.
This question arises often. Your answer, Joan, is insightful and practical. (Practical in the sense that it can put the question to rest.) This is sufficient, however, it may also interest the non-dual / spiritual community that the view of reality from science appears to be in the early stages of a paradigm shift, similar to those associated with Newton and Einstein. The materialist premise, including assumptions about matter, energy, the time / space continuum and the "Big Bang," are becoming shaky. Exploration by scientists and mathematicians of alternatives include consciousness itself as the grounding fabric of What Is. This amazes me. Many possible sources for ideas and news, but if one is interested, this podcast is a possible entry. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0F78AZuaO1AaaoDIa8DnBz?si=4c048a074af04041
Yes, I've heard a lot of Hoffman, Spira, Kastrup, and many others who spoke at SAND conferences and/or whose YouTubes I've watched. And a very interesting book is The Grand Delusion by Zen teacher and former science writer Steve Hagen.
Thanks, Joan. I will into Steve’s book.
Joan I so resonate with your wonderful straight talking very profound simple truth Thanks you very much
Big Love Joan, thank you for this!