The instinct for self preservation and survival.

[weareunity]

Hello all.

We might like to feel that the process of discovering/uncovering whatever perception of reality fits in satisfactorily with our personal knowledge and experience is a process which we personally begin/control/conclude.

However-- our individual motivations which drive us to engage with this process will/do imo play a role in deciding what conclusion proves satisfactory,---what perception answers the need/s ?--Need/s that we may not be consciously aware of ?

This not a criticism--just acknowledgement of a possibility.

Further, our knowledge and experience may be of finding that there are ready made perceptions of reality to which we can subscribe if we do not feel inclined or able to discover/uncover ourselves.

Again, this is not a criticism.

Further still, we may find ourselves in a situation whereby there is pressure for us to accept a perception of reality which is in agreement with the perception prevailing within the society in which we live.

And again, this is not a criticism of the individual/s finding themselves in such circumstances--though it is an observation regarding one of the characteristics of societies within which this happens.

All in all, arriving at---or indeed exploring/forming a personal perception of reality is not easy. Imo.

It seems logical that a "good" place to start is with the examination of ourselves.
What am I ?

Am"I"a "thing" ?

And what is a "thing"?

As a "living" "thing" then am "I" the embodiment of a myriad processes perhaps ?

And what does this "thing" do? What are the principal characteristics of the "living" "thing"?

Perhaps the defining characteristic of a "living" "thing" is the ability to itself choose to instigate process--or not, and by such mechanisms of choice available to that "thing".

In that respect being inextricably part of the complete process which we call existence.

This could be considered as a possibility of little consequence--until it becomes appreciated that the smallest change/input into this whole process has consequence for the whole.

Cheers. X

[Goldcup7]

Looking at it from the Non Dual perspective, there are no things. A thing implies it is defined and limited, but that is only an appearance in the world. Any apparent limits of things are vague and illusory.

Similarly, I'd say that there is only Life, and the world is an interplay of opposites, allowing the appearance of alive and not alive, within the encompassing field of Life, or being. Again, the divide between alive and not alive is vague and illusory.

This whole planet is alive. It's just that we label some things as alive and some things not alive. The problem is in the labelling of infinite flowing life.

[weareunity]

Hello Goldcup7 and all.

Wondering if you have had thoughts around the following:--

Is a consequence of personally describing/commenting on the nature of reality using the lens of a particular personally held perception of reality--even if that perception is also widely shared and respected --heavily weighted toward the presumption that the particular perception being used is "correct"? --for otherwise why would that particular perception be considered as being capable of making such description/comment?

Cheers. X

[Goldcup7]

I'd say that all perceptions are inaccurate. All beliefs are inaccurate. If you want the real core truth, it's best to drop all perceptions, viewpoints, beliefs, thoughts, preferences and ideas. What's left is the basic truth of what is. As soon as we try to describe the ultimate truth we inevitably hide it to some degree.

It's a lot like trying to describe silence. The perfect description is no description .

[weareunity]

Hello Goldcup7, and all.

Thanks for your reply and the giving of your opinion.

The recognition of inevitable innacuracy in our perceptions and thoughts seems likely to be discomforting if our desire is for certainty--- understandable given the uncertainties of being alive.

If the arrival at certainty is in some way connected with finality, the end of the need for further seeking, then we could see advice to stop seeking as a method, a recommendation which if followed could release us from discomfort of uncertainty.?

However. Is such recommendation simply insulation? Might that insulation easily become isolation?

Simply accepting uncertainty as being a characteristic of being alive on the other hand seems more of an observation of commonality, same boatedness, rather than either insulating or isolating.

Again, --However--. Such acceptance would be best utilised in the furtherance of commonality, care for each other and all life and the resources/conditions necessary for the continuance of life. Accepting uncertainty is not an indication of surrender.

Cheers. X