Hi Robert, I’m rereading The Ten Thousand Things. Your description of the abrupt ending of ‘myself’ as separate from the stream of thoughts, feelings, etc. is very familiar. I had the same experience 10 years or so ago. We also share views about for example Trump and his followers, animals, and many other views.
So well put, Robert: 'For me, feeling this aliveness as a “myself” is an ever-changing, moment-by-moment experience that arises automatically and pre-consciously due to a blending of natural factors. Those factors include the body itself, the awareness or consciousness that is associated with that body, and each and every perception, thought, or feeling that arises and comes to awareness.'
I am currently reading The Ego Tunnel by Thomas Metzinger. It is primarily from a neuroscientist perspective. What I could understand from his analysis is that experiencing oneself as separate from the stream of perceptions, feelings and thoughts -what Robert calls as splitting- is a sign of a normal functioning brain.
The way I see it, experiencing oneself as separate from the stream of perceptions, feelings, and thoughts is one of many human experiences. The problem from my point of view is that for many spiritual groups, that is considered a sign of a higher state of consciousness, with no evidence to back that up other than the claims of so-called spiritual masters and scripture. And it often leads people to believe that there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. “I wish I had that experience more often or permanently. Then my problems would be solved.” To the extent that they believe that, they cannot be satisfied with normal everyday experience.
So well put, Robert: 'For me, feeling this aliveness as a “myself” is an ever-changing, moment-by-moment experience that arises automatically and pre-consciously due to a blending of natural factors. Those factors include the body itself, the awareness or consciousness that is associated with that body, and each and every perception, thought, or feeling that arises and comes to awareness.'
Thank you, David.
I am currently reading The Ego Tunnel by Thomas Metzinger. It is primarily from a neuroscientist perspective. What I could understand from his analysis is that experiencing oneself as separate from the stream of perceptions, feelings and thoughts -what Robert calls as splitting- is a sign of a normal functioning brain.
The way I see it, experiencing oneself as separate from the stream of perceptions, feelings, and thoughts is one of many human experiences. The problem from my point of view is that for many spiritual groups, that is considered a sign of a higher state of consciousness, with no evidence to back that up other than the claims of so-called spiritual masters and scripture. And it often leads people to believe that there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. “I wish I had that experience more often or permanently. Then my problems would be solved.” To the extent that they believe that, they cannot be satisfied with normal everyday experience.