Mistaken Perception

[Moondance]

Imagine waves on a vast ocean. The ocean (which is a living principle in this thought experiment) has, over time, assigned a limited degree of sentience and perception to each wave. Via each wave the ocean comes to know itself. Each wave can rightly proclaim, from its unique perspective, ‘I am the ocean.’ The wave is the portal through which the ocean manifests a form of self-reflection.

Now, over time the ocean forgets about this self-reflection contrivance (after all the waves have got better things to be getting on with - not least a growing backlog of shipwrecking and natural disasters) and eventually new generations of waves start to reflect, ponder and proclaim that they are, in fact, waves. They forget that they are the ocean’s play, portal and expression and in error believe that they are somehow independent, separate and inherently existing. With this comes a sense of existential anxiety and fear of annihilation.

As far as I can see, in the light of my own realisations and reflections, this is a rough sketch of the nub of the existential predicament - which is basically that of a mistaken perception. From an early age we overlook the ineffable obvious and identify as the limited expression/portal. My intuition (and in some sense it almost feels like a memory) is that when we came out of the womb - if we could have articulated it - we would have naturally assumed that we were this _________ this dynamic occurrence that is Life itself - nothing less.

Something is happening, something is going on, something ultimately inexplicable - and in moments of quietude there can be a sense/recognition 'ahh… this is so obvious… THIS is what I am… I am Life*… that's what this is… Life simply happening…'

And with the seeing of this we can drop our straining for enlightenment, the endless perfecting of the self, the religious dogma and pedantry, the ceaseless compulsions… and rest here, now, THIS… That’s all… because that’s all there is, THIS... creatively unfolding.



* That’s the placeholder I’m using in this particular post. Tao, Source, Reality, God, Awareness… etc. are equally acceptable/questionable.

[Iamit]

Yes of course as always Moondance. Not realizing any of that is also the Ocean, an important communication for seekers so they are not labelled as lacking even though they may feel that they are lacking.

But we have been round that before:)

[Moondance]

Originally Posted by Iamit

Yes of course as always Moondance. Not realizing any of that is also the Ocean, an important communication for seekers so they are not labelled as lacking even though they may feel that they are lacking.

But we have been round that before:)

Of course. The ocean presents as ignorance and delusion too - but in the seeing of that, ignorance may start to diminish.

[Iamit]

Originally Posted by Moondance

Of course. The ocean presents as ignorance and delusion too - but in the seeing of that, ignorance may start to diminish.

To apply the labels ignorant or deluded to seekers would be to add yet further burdens, rather than be clear that they are already fully connected to what they seek (including thier feeling of disconnection) and that even not realizing that is not disconnected.

Then, starting from that positive, one can consider thier response that they do not feel it, until all is gathered in.

[Moondance]

Originally Posted by Iamit

To apply the labels ignorant or deluded to seekers would be to add yet further burdens, rather than be clear that they are already fully connected to what they seek (including thier feeling of disconnection) and that even not realizing that is not disconnected.

Then, starting from that positive, one can consider thier response that they do not feel it, until all is gathered in.

A seeker is, by default, ignorant of their true nature. Ignorant - in this usage - simply means unaware. It’s a description.

If they don’t know that they are ‘fully connected’ then they are ignorant of that fact… until they are not.

[Iamit]

Originally Posted by Moondance

A seeker is, by default, ignorant of their true nature. Ignorant - in this usage - simply means unaware. It’s a description.

If they don’t know that they are ‘fully connected’ then they are ignorant of that fact… until they are not.

Yes.

The question arises however about how movement from feeling disconnected to connected occurs and is facilitated. This will vary from seeker to seeker but if the position that disconnection is impossible is the basis then to communicate that clearly from the start at least removes the idea that there is something lacking in terms of connection. One can then consider what stands in the way of ending the feeling of disconnection whilst being clear that that feeling is not disconnected.

[sentient]

Originally Posted by Moondance

... we can drop our straining for enlightenment, the endless perfecting of the self, the religious dogma and pedantry, the ceaseless compulsions… and rest here, now, THIS… That’s all… because that’s all there is, THIS... creatively unfolding.

Such a relief.

Thanks again Moondance for the reminder.

[Moondance]

Originally Posted by sentient

Such a relief.

Thanks again Moondance for the reminder.

Hi Sentient. Glad to hear that something resonated.

[Miss Hepburn]

Originally Posted by sentient

Such a relief.
Thanks again Moondance for the reminder.

Ditto.

[slash112]

Beautiful post Moondance, thanks for that!