I had difficulty -some of it technical-- listening to the entire discussion, managing to get through the first half twice🤪and deciding(???)!) Id had enough!
Want to comnent that in general what I sense is an undying desire on the part of hunan animals to understand. ..And perhaps this very desire, limited as it appears to be by our thinking process, is our nemesis.
While you both were discussing these ideas (whiich is what philosophers do, it appears) I was recalling several times recently when "I" have witnessed a new response which was Not preceeded by any conscious reflection or weighing of potential outcomes(of my possible response). What I experienced was a bit of surprise at the response that took place ' without' my knowing or thinking or apparent awareness--which was a huge departure from what had been the habitual feeling response(if not the outward response)in all memory. How did that happen? I dont know. I am in awe of the mystery of it. I do not want to theorize about it. That, for me, is to try to deconstruct the indivisible. I will hold the question... not with a furrowed brow but with an inner quiet amazement and curiosity. And this is the thrill of the 'process' John mentioned; for me this is the (open)secret thrill of being alive.
Thank you, as always, for your post. Loved the Issa and now-I-forget other bits .
My sense is that the second half of the conversation was livelier, but I can't recall exactly when I felt it shifted.
Yes, we humans are deeply compelled to understand life as best we can...and this is both an enormous evolutionary advantage that has gotten us to the top of the food chain, but also, as you put it, a kind of nemesis that has brought forth immense suffering of a kind no other animal has.
Tim is more of a philosopher than I am, but we all have philosophies (ideas and beliefs about reality) whether we are aware of them or not. Some are helpful, some are not. Some maps are more or less accurate than others. Maps are helpful, but we get into trouble when we mistake them for the living territory itself, which is actually unmapable or inconceivable.
What you're describing about surprising new responses that seem to emerge without thought or awareness sounds something like the experience of being "in the zone." But, I won't theorize about it any further. 😎
Anyway, thanks for the comment. When you mention John, I think you mean Tim, yes? Otherwise, I'm not sure what you mean. Glad you enjoyed Issa and my recommendation of The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating. Much Love and aloha....❤️
Love this Joan. I am with you in wanting to understand what’s going on, politics included. Your willingness to talk about the opening of your mind to new ideas is rare in a spiritual teacher/commentator/ whatever you call yourself - and is inspiring and i really appreciate you even more than i already did 🙏
Emptiness as a kind of openness and contingent interconnectedness.
Hi Joan,
I had difficulty -some of it technical-- listening to the entire discussion, managing to get through the first half twice🤪and deciding(???)!) Id had enough!
Want to comnent that in general what I sense is an undying desire on the part of hunan animals to understand. ..And perhaps this very desire, limited as it appears to be by our thinking process, is our nemesis.
While you both were discussing these ideas (whiich is what philosophers do, it appears) I was recalling several times recently when "I" have witnessed a new response which was Not preceeded by any conscious reflection or weighing of potential outcomes(of my possible response). What I experienced was a bit of surprise at the response that took place ' without' my knowing or thinking or apparent awareness--which was a huge departure from what had been the habitual feeling response(if not the outward response)in all memory. How did that happen? I dont know. I am in awe of the mystery of it. I do not want to theorize about it. That, for me, is to try to deconstruct the indivisible. I will hold the question... not with a furrowed brow but with an inner quiet amazement and curiosity. And this is the thrill of the 'process' John mentioned; for me this is the (open)secret thrill of being alive.
Thank you, as always, for your post. Loved the Issa and now-I-forget other bits .
Much aloha,
Diana
Hi Diana,
My sense is that the second half of the conversation was livelier, but I can't recall exactly when I felt it shifted.
Yes, we humans are deeply compelled to understand life as best we can...and this is both an enormous evolutionary advantage that has gotten us to the top of the food chain, but also, as you put it, a kind of nemesis that has brought forth immense suffering of a kind no other animal has.
Tim is more of a philosopher than I am, but we all have philosophies (ideas and beliefs about reality) whether we are aware of them or not. Some are helpful, some are not. Some maps are more or less accurate than others. Maps are helpful, but we get into trouble when we mistake them for the living territory itself, which is actually unmapable or inconceivable.
What you're describing about surprising new responses that seem to emerge without thought or awareness sounds something like the experience of being "in the zone." But, I won't theorize about it any further. 😎
Anyway, thanks for the comment. When you mention John, I think you mean Tim, yes? Otherwise, I'm not sure what you mean. Glad you enjoyed Issa and my recommendation of The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating. Much Love and aloha....❤️
Love this Joan. I am with you in wanting to understand what’s going on, politics included. Your willingness to talk about the opening of your mind to new ideas is rare in a spiritual teacher/commentator/ whatever you call yourself - and is inspiring and i really appreciate you even more than i already did 🙏