This question arrived as a private message, but I'm sharing it here because it's a good question—one that probably occurs to many of us—and I think my reply may clarify this.
I'm looking forward to your new book Robert. The clarity, honesty, strength, courage, integrity and humility in your intellect and how you've articulated them have often given me the vocabulary that I needed to understand and express my own inner existential experience. Thank you.
Thanks Robert. This is a core understanding. This is the heart of it. Awareness of this message is a catalyst... at least for some. It definitely was for me. This freedom is such an amazing gift. In it is a deep sense of abundance. What used to be hidden... all the miracles of little and big things become a source of wonder, awe, and joy. I used to be blind to this... with no self-image in the way, imposing survival-success blinders, the only thing that remains is the freedom to be and to experience it all.
Hey Robert...another volume to get our teeth into 😄...
For me, awareness in the moment is what for me defines contemporaneous experiencing...as opposed to remembered experience. I have to date always moved subsequently into overlaying thoughts - so the idea of concepts such as self-image never arising in an individual's consciousness is not something I can grasp, really.
I am delighted that I will have another book of yours to read so soon. Atm I am reading John Gray's Straw Dogs, and many parts of it remind me of your writing - I am thinking that he may have influenced you somewhere along the line? This quote is an example: “Other animals are born, seek mates, forage for food and die. That is all. But we humans – we think – are different. We are persons, whose actions are the results of their choices. Other animals pass their lives unawares, but we are conscious. Our image of our selves is formed from our ingrained belief that consciousness, selfhood and free will are what define us as human beings, and raise us above all other creatures.”
Hey Renaee...I've not read Straw Dogs, but from your quoted passage - how does John Gray know that "other animals pass their lives unawares"? Has he ever experienced living as another animal? I think not. Surely this is just conjecture on his part?🤷
Hi Stephen, my understanding is that he was critiquing what 'we humans' THINK about ourselves and about animals, saying most people assume that, not that he was in agreement with this idea. He aligns with the first sentence, and says that we are much the same. It's an amazing book, and quite grim in some parts. A bit of a take down of moral philosophers.
I'm looking forward to your new book Robert. The clarity, honesty, strength, courage, integrity and humility in your intellect and how you've articulated them have often given me the vocabulary that I needed to understand and express my own inner existential experience. Thank you.
What a lovely thing to hear. Thank you, Tess.
Thanks Robert. This is a core understanding. This is the heart of it. Awareness of this message is a catalyst... at least for some. It definitely was for me. This freedom is such an amazing gift. In it is a deep sense of abundance. What used to be hidden... all the miracles of little and big things become a source of wonder, awe, and joy. I used to be blind to this... with no self-image in the way, imposing survival-success blinders, the only thing that remains is the freedom to be and to experience it all.
Your timeless books are always perfect timing. I will be ordering this to read in time for an upcoming holiday in tropical Queensland.
Hey Robert...another volume to get our teeth into 😄...
For me, awareness in the moment is what for me defines contemporaneous experiencing...as opposed to remembered experience. I have to date always moved subsequently into overlaying thoughts - so the idea of concepts such as self-image never arising in an individual's consciousness is not something I can grasp, really.
Have a great day bro!🈚️
I am delighted that I will have another book of yours to read so soon. Atm I am reading John Gray's Straw Dogs, and many parts of it remind me of your writing - I am thinking that he may have influenced you somewhere along the line? This quote is an example: “Other animals are born, seek mates, forage for food and die. That is all. But we humans – we think – are different. We are persons, whose actions are the results of their choices. Other animals pass their lives unawares, but we are conscious. Our image of our selves is formed from our ingrained belief that consciousness, selfhood and free will are what define us as human beings, and raise us above all other creatures.”
Not an influence, but clearly a kindred spirit.
Hey Renaee...I've not read Straw Dogs, but from your quoted passage - how does John Gray know that "other animals pass their lives unawares"? Has he ever experienced living as another animal? I think not. Surely this is just conjecture on his part?🤷
Hi Stephen, my understanding is that he was critiquing what 'we humans' THINK about ourselves and about animals, saying most people assume that, not that he was in agreement with this idea. He aligns with the first sentence, and says that we are much the same. It's an amazing book, and quite grim in some parts. A bit of a take down of moral philosophers.
Ah...many thanks for clarifying mate...
Have a great day!🈚️
Excellent!