Before I begin, I'd just like to state that this is the spirituality forum (*gasp*). Today I came to a certain realization that I need never again argue with any person here, over any belief they hold, even if they try to argue it through what I percieve as faulty logic. If you want the honest truth, I'm really no great crusader for logic or adeism/atheism or whatever. Every day I'm in shitloads of pain, and every day I'm on these forums. When I'm in especially large amounts of pain, I lose sight of all my years of psychological training and just get really pissed off and start fighting. Whether it be through argument here, or with my family, or with my friends, or with myself... massive amounts of pain seem to trigger a defence mechanism pushing me to fight whatever annoys me in the slightest.

But, the doc finally got me on some kick-ass painkillers and it's relatively manageable now. So I pledge that, from this day forward, I shall endeaver not to attempt to argue or disuade anybody regarding any belief. We'll surely get more accomplished through sharing ideas, rather than just arguing over who already has things figured out. I encourage everyone else to do the same, but hey that's up to you.

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My views on these subject mainly come from my training in buddhist meditative practices, as well as my own exploration of self, perception, and life.

I've long suspected that some forms of advanced consciousness are the result of a melding between conscious and subconcious, a single perception entailing the qualities of both. Perception is indeed a fascinating thing. I've been learning to manipulate and guide it to my own betterment, and it's absolutely kept me sane under the pressure of daily physical pain.

Yet I can see there's SO much more to explore, and more to understand regarding the nature of all the bases for perception. The nature of ego is fascinating, considering it seems to be nothing but an illusionary state perpetuated by delusionary thought. But there is definately more to our consciousness than understanding the ego...the whole matter of mental conception is pretty complex.
Personally, I take it a piece at a time until I understand how it relates to everything else. Whether it be matters of ego, perception, emotion, craving, aversion, instinct, mating drives, music, entheogens..... from my experience they all relate to and affect one another.

Speaking from my perspective, the self is indeed real. The ego is even real, as the illusion exists even through it's non-existent state by it's effect on the whole. The reality of something, after all, is only relevant as to it's effect on that which exists around it. The whole, of course, the personal consciousness we think of as "I", doesn't exist. What does exist is the collection of impermanent processes, the billions (perhapse trillions) of active particles and quantum-sized energies that constantly arise and fall, blink in and out of existence. When all these processes constantly blink in and out, but retain a consistant mechanism of action, the illusion of "self" is created as a single, permanent being who's existence we cling to for dear life.

Hmmmmm. Actually I wanted to expand on this more but the painkillers are setting in and I'm starting to feel mighty high. My apologies. I will continue this discussion further with you all at a later time. I would absolutely appreciate any contributions to the discussion, no matter what your philosophy, even if you disagree with me. Lets all just try loving one another.
mrdevious Reviewed by mrdevious on . a brief overview of consciousness and "self" Before I begin, I'd just like to state that this is the spirituality forum (*gasp*). Today I came to a certain realization that I need never again argue with any person here, over any belief they hold, even if they try to argue it through what I percieve as faulty logic. If you want the honest truth, I'm really no great crusader for logic or adeism/atheism or whatever. Every day I'm in shitloads of pain, and every day I'm on these forums. When I'm in especially large amounts of pain, I lose Rating: 5