Given how poor I was at math and science, my interest in quantum theory is surprising. A dozen or so blog posts and some reading. This video explores intersection of quantum physics, consciousness and Eastern philosophy (Zen and Buddhism), as put forth by Erwin Schrodinger. If you’re looking for an explanation of how The Whole Shebang works, this is it for me.
Category Archives: Philosophy
ONISM
ONISM — the awareness of how little of the world you’ll experience
“It’s strange how little of the world you actually get to see. No matter where on Earth you happen to be standing, the horizon you see in the distance is only ever about three miles away from you, a bit less than five kilometers. Which means that at any given time, you’re barely more than an hour’s walk from a completely different world. Alas, even if you lace up your boots and take off for the hills, the circle of your horizon will follow you around like a prison searchlight.”
From The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig
What Is Consciousness?
I don’t remember when or how I became interested in consciousness. My reading has included some titles by neuroscientists (like David Eagleman) but I tend to lean toward the philosophical or contemplative (metaphysical?). Most of which has been excerpted here (110 posts!) For my money, David Eagleman explains (discusses) this slippery subject better than anyone.
I struggled with how to describe my interest in the non-scientific approaches to consciousness so I asked ChatGPT:
A good term that bridges the gap between the scientific and the mystical without leaning too far in either direction might be “philosophical” or “phenomenological.”
- Philosophical – This captures the deep inquiry into consciousness that isn’t bound by empirical science but also doesn’t necessarily invoke mysticism. Thinkers like Descartes, Husserl, and Chalmers explore consciousness through reason, introspection, and logic.
- Phenomenological – A term used to describe the study of subjective experience, focusing on how consciousness feels from the inside. This is rooted in philosophy but can also align with contemplative practices.
- Existential – A term often associated with the nature of experience, selfhood, and the human condition, which naturally touches on consciousness.
- Contemplative – While sometimes associated with spiritual traditions, it can be neutral enough to imply deep, reflective examination of awareness without invoking religious connotations.
If you’re looking for something even broader, “metaphysical” works, though it might feel too abstract.
George Carlin on Religion
Money Is A Religion
Everything I think about religion can be found here (75 posts). But I don’t think any of these posts explain money as a religion. Which is clearly is.
“Money is valuable because we believe in it. The more we reflect on this, the more we realize religion is far from gone from today’s ‘secular society’. We’re just calling our religion ‘the economy’. Here we follow philosopher Ernest Becker in his book Escape From Evil on a quest to discover the religious origins of money.”
Thought Balloons
I’ve done a fair amount of reading and a lot of thinking about …well, thinking. And consciousness. According to ChatGPT (PDF) the two are different but related.
One view that feels right to me is that thoughts think themselves. Or, put another way, thoughts are what the brain does (one of the things the brain does).
For the past couple of days I’ve been visualizing thoughts (?) as toy balloons floating into and out of awareness. (Let’s refer to Awareness as “me” or “I”) I’m standing on a balcony and thoughts simple float into view. Unbidden. Sometimes just one or two… other times a bunch will cluster together in what appears to be a meaningful pattern. (see comment below for thoughts as bubbles and refrigerator magnets)
If I ignore the balloons, they simple float up and away. But too often I reach out and grab one (or several) and hold onto them. Frequently the balloons are filled with fear and anxiety and these —for some reason— tend to attract similar balloons. Why would someone hold onto these?
There seems to be no limit to how many balloons I can hang onto at once. Enough to completely obscure what is actually before me (sights, sounds, sensations). And, as it turns out, these thoughts are mostly unnecessary. The body is, and has always been, mostly on autopilot.
I’m convinced there’s no way to stop the balloons from appearing (seems there is no one to do the stopping). Can I resist the urge to reach out and grab a balloon? Can I immediately let it go? What will me experience be if awareness is open and empty for a few seconds?
Day After Thoughts
Today I live in a new country. I am now an ex-pat with fond memories of a better place. Grateful that I lived there for so long. Yesterday I was the most fortunate person I know. That is no less true today.
For the past ten years I have been riding the Doom Roller Coaster, dreading the worst thing that could happen. Now that it has happened, I can get off.
I’m reminded of an old joke that ends with, “I know there’s a pony in here somewhere.” I choose to believe that. No idea where or when the pony will be, but I plan to keep shoveling.
“It is what it is”
For some reason the expression popped into my head today and I flashed on The Buddha surrounded by his posse as one of them asked about some mystery of life. To which The Big Guy replied, “It is what it is.”
Where, I wondered, did the expression come from? As I do so often these days, I went to ChatGPT for an answer:
The expression “It is what it is” has roots that are difficult to pin down to a specific origin, but it has been widely used in various forms across different cultures and languages for centuries. It conveys a sense of resignation or acceptance of a situation that cannot be changed.
The phrase started gaining popularity in the U.S. in the mid-20th century, especially in contexts where people faced unchangeable or challenging circumstances. The earliest known printed use of the exact phrase in English comes from a 1949 article in The Nebraska State Journal, where a writer used it in relation to frontier life. The expression implies that sometimes, things simply have to be accepted as they are.
The sentiment behind the phrase can be traced back to Stoic philosophy, particularly the idea of accepting things outside of one’s control with equanimity. Taoism, which you’re drawn to, also resonates with this concept, encouraging harmony with the way things are.
The casual and almost fatalistic nature of “It is what it is” makes it a shorthand for accepting reality without complaint or excessive analysis. Over time, the phrase has become a cultural staple, especially in modern times, when people encounter situations that require them to let go of the desire to control outcomes.
ChatGPT likes to toss in references to previous exchanges but she’s right about the Taosim connection.
Atheists and anti-theists
The distinction between atheist and anti-theist lies in their attitudes toward belief in God or gods.
Atheist. An atheist is someone who simply does not believe in the existence of a God or gods. Atheism is about a lack of belief, and it can range from passive non-belief to active disbelief, but it does not necessarily imply opposition to religion itself or to religious beliefs.
Anti-theist. An anti-theist, on the other hand, goes a step further. In addition to not believing in God or gods, an anti-theist actively opposes religion and religious belief. This stance often arises from the view that religion is harmful or detrimental to individuals or society. Anti-theists may be outspoken critics of religious institutions and practices, viewing them as misleading or morally problematic.
So, while all anti-theists are atheists, not all atheists are anti-theists.
Answer from ChatGPT
Three Things
“Zen pretty much comes down to three things– everything changes; everything is connected; pay attention.”