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Unity and interconnectedness: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Tumblr_inline_mmi698051Y1qz4rgp.gif|thumb|right|upright|238px| This symbol depicts the universe as a "self-excited" circuit. It was originally created by the late theoretical physicist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Archibald_Wheeler John Archibald Wheeler] in his 1983 paper [http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/wheeler_law_without_law.pdf law withoutlaw]. The eye represents the self and the line directly opposite represents that which it is perceiving within the "external" environment. The two sections are connected into each other via arrows to demonstrate that it is a singular and unified system.]]'''States of unity and interconnectedness''' can be described as an alteration in the cognitive rules which define both what one's sense of self or identity is attributed to and what it is felt as separate from. For example, most people feel that the self is inherently separate from their external environment and could not possibly extend into it. On top of this, many people feel that the self is specifically limited to not even the physical body as a whole, but exclusively a person’s internal narrative or thought stream and the image of their own personality as built up through social interactions with other people. | [[File:Tumblr_inline_mmi698051Y1qz4rgp.gif|thumb|right|upright|238px| This symbol depicts the universe as a "self-excited" circuit. It was originally created by the late theoretical physicist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Archibald_Wheeler John Archibald Wheeler] in his 1983 paper [http://what-buddha-said.net/library/pdfs/wheeler_law_without_law.pdf law withoutlaw]. The eye represents the self and the line directly opposite represents that which it is perceiving within the "external" environment. The two sections are connected into each other via arrows to demonstrate that it is a singular and unified system.]]'''States of unity and interconnectedness''' can be described as an alteration in the cognitive rules which define both what one's sense of self or identity is attributed to and what it is felt as separate from. For example, most people feel that the self is inherently separate from their external environment and could not possibly extend into it. On top of this, many people feel that the self is specifically limited to not even the physical body as a whole, but exclusively a person’s internal narrative or thought stream and the image of their own personality as built up through social interactions with other people. | ||
When experienced, this subjective effect | When experienced, this subjective effect directly changes that which one's self is currently attributed to so that it becomes capable of including systems which were previously perceived as separate to one's identity or being. The experience of this alteration results in feelings of intense and inextricable unity or interconnectedness between oneself and specific or multiple external systems. | ||
Many people who undergo this experience consistently interpret it as the removal of a deeply embedded illusion, the destruction of which is often described as some sort of profound “awakening” or “enlightenment”. Depending on the degree to which this supposed illusion has been lifted, it can lead onto five possible levels of differing intensity and degrees of interconnectedness. | Many people who undergo this experience consistently interpret it as the removal of a deeply embedded illusion, the destruction of which is often described as some sort of profound “awakening” or “enlightenment”. Depending on the degree to which this supposed illusion has been lifted, it can lead onto five possible levels of differing intensity and degrees of interconnectedness. | ||
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====2. Unity between the self and specific external systems==== | ====2. Unity between the self and specific external systems==== | ||
The second of these two levels can be referred to as a state of “''unity between the self and specific external systems''”. It can be defined as the experience of a loss of perceived boundaries between a person’s identity and specific physical systems or concepts within the perceivable external environment which are currently comprising their central point of cognitive focus. | The second of these two levels can be referred to as a state of “''unity between the self and specific external systems''”. It can be defined as the experience of a loss of perceived boundaries between a person’s identity and the specific physical systems or concepts within the perceivable external environment which are currently comprising their central point of cognitive focus. | ||
There are an endless number of ways in which this level manifest itself but common examples of the experience often include: | There are an endless number of ways in which this level manifest itself but common examples of the experience often include: | ||
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*A perspective which feels personally responsible for the designing, planning, and implementation of every single specific detail and plot element of one's personal life, the history of humanity, and the universe as a whole. This naturally includes personal culpability for humanity's sufferings and its flaws, but also includes its acts of love and achievements. | *A perspective which feels personally responsible for the designing, planning, and implementation of every single specific detail and plot element of one's personal life, the history of humanity, and the universe as a whole. This naturally includes personal culpability for humanity's sufferings and its flaws, but also includes its acts of love and achievements. | ||
*The sudden and total acceptance of death as a fundamental component of one's life. This is because death is no longer felt to be the destruction of oneself but simply the end of this specific point of conscious awareness-- the vast majority of which has always existed and will continue to exist and live on through everything else in which it resides. | *The sudden and total acceptance of death as a fundamental component of one's life. This is because death is no longer felt to be the destruction of oneself but simply the end of this specific point of conscious awareness-- the vast majority of which has always existed and will continue to exist and live on through everything else in which it resides. | ||
*The realization one's preconceived notions behind the definition of their concept of “god” or “god-hood” can now be felt as identical to the nature of existence and to that of one's true self. This realization is generally reached through the subconscious conclusion that the usually differing concepts of god-hood, existence and self are each now identically defined as that which is the all-encompassing, all-powerful, creator, and sustainer of this existence. | *The realization that one's preconceived notions behind the definition of their concept of “god” or “god-hood” can now be felt as identical to the nature of existence and to that of one's true self. This realization is generally reached through the subconscious conclusion that the usually differing concepts of god-hood, existence and self are each now identically defined as that which is the all-encompassing, all-powerful, creator, and sustainer of this existence. | ||
==Analysis== | ==Analysis== | ||
===Examples of unity throughout history and culture=== | ===Examples of unity throughout history and culture=== | ||
Similar accounts of experiences of unity and the | Similar accounts of experiences of unity and the illusory nature of the self can be found across a surprisingly large variety of independent religious, philosophical, and psychological sources. These have been collected and listed as a set of documented examples below: | ||
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egolessness Egolessness]''' is a documented emotional state within psychology where one feels no ego (or self) and of having no distinct being apart from the world around oneself. This is often described as feelings of oneness and being inextricably woven to the fabric of one’s surroundings or environment. | *'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egolessness Egolessness]''' is a documented emotional state within psychology where one feels no ego (or self) and of having no distinct being apart from the world around oneself. This is often described as feelings of oneness and being inextricably woven to the fabric of one’s surroundings or environment. | ||
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*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanic_feeling Oceanic feeling]''' is a state within psychology which is described as a sensation of an indissoluble bond and of being connected with the external world in its integral form. | *'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oceanic_feeling Oceanic feeling]''' is a state within psychology which is described as a sensation of an indissoluble bond and of being connected with the external world in its integral form. | ||
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nondualism Nondualism]''' is | *'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nondualism Nondualism]''' is a philosophy found within many religions which states that there is no difference between the concept of the external environment and the self. | ||
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts Alan Watts]''' is a philosopher who lived in recent times and spoke extensively about the illusory nature of the self. His lectures can be found for free on the [http://www.proxybay.de/torrent/7154827/Alan_Watts-_Out_of_Your_Mind_(The_Essential_Lectures) Pirate Bay] and in parts within many videos across [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXmz605GAnc YouTube]. His book “The Book on the Taboo of Knowing Who You Are” is dedicated to a formal explanation of the philosophies and logic behind this perspective and can be found within the form of a [http://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/The-book-on-the-taboo-against-knowing-who-you-are-by-Alan-Watts.pdf free PDF]. | *'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Watts Alan Watts]''' is a philosopher who lived in recent times and spoke extensively about the illusory nature of the self. His lectures can be found for free on the [http://www.proxybay.de/torrent/7154827/Alan_Watts-_Out_of_Your_Mind_(The_Essential_Lectures) Pirate Bay] and in parts within many videos across [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXmz605GAnc YouTube]. His book “The Book on the Taboo of Knowing Who You Are” is dedicated to a formal explanation of the philosophies and logic behind this perspective and can be found within the form of a [http://www.holybooks.com/wp-content/uploads/The-book-on-the-taboo-against-knowing-who-you-are-by-Alan-Watts.pdf free PDF]. | ||