Hi Ray
So I watched episode 1 of the Brain show on BBC. I then taught a mindfulness group about judgment versus discernment. However, two strong questions emerged from the groups.
1.Given how much of reality we project from a template in our brains, can we ever really know true reality?
2. Where does morality come in if our perceptions are so intrinsically biased? Is there such a thing as right and wrong or are these always figments of our perceptions?
1. The only true reality I am aware of is consciousness and until that is seen all we have to go on is whatever is encoded and projected from our brain. If somehow this projection of our brain were to become more accurate and truthful this would result in for instance the understanding that symbols, words, language, beliefs, and memory being inaccurate and ultimately false or non existent become what they actually are - non existent. These words I am using cannot convey the power of the meaning of what I am saying, but this is realisable and the whole of reality is using every means possible to bring about this understanding. It is in the hands of infinite intelligence and again the more we are aware of and trust in that intelligence the deeper our understanding becomes. Knowing that we cannot know reality from the perspective of the brains projection is what finally does the trick, so this is not about knowing reality it is not knowing reality and the realisation that within the brains projections it can never be know.
2. Morality is whatever you believe it to be this leaves the possibility of infinite ways of getting it wrong. Morality is not so much about right and wrong it is about what is most effective in reaching our true purpose. Negative thoughts, intentions or actions take us in the opposite direction to our true purpose because the result of negativity is always the creation of a reality in which we become more and more lost in the desires inherent in that wrong direction. As I have said before one of the most important principles to understand is the difference between the absence of free will and the knowledge that we are absolutely responsible for everything, even from the wrong understanding of morality. In the relationship between you and the world the only thing you can be sure of is that whatever you do or think carries with it a consequence. The consequence cannot be uncreated once it has been created it can only be lived through and learned from. All life operates from the same rules in relation to responsibility. It seems that it is only in humans that the debate about free will exists and because for most humans reality is based on their false view that they have free will they have to go through the process of finding out this belief is false.
Morality based on the understanding that negativity of any kind takes us in the wrong direction so morality free of any negatives would be like signposts pointing towards the right direction, it is only in this sense that right and wrong exist. It can be assumed that consciousness is entirely free of negatives and positives.
Best
Ray
Thanks Ray. That is immensely helpful.
Point 2 I still feel stuck on. 'Negative thoughts, intentions or actions take us in the opposite direction to our true purpose because the result of negativity is always the creation of a reality in which we become more and more lost in the desires inherent in that wrong direction. '
What do you define as 'negative'? Is it possible to define ‘negative' in this context without getting caught in a circular argument?
Hi Louis,
I define negative as non existent. In Sanskrit it is said that there is no illusion, negatives being non existent and therefore illusion do not exist except for the one who imagines they do.
Ray