The Movie Screen Analogy

[MikeS80]

Originally Posted by Goldcup7

Imo 'the many' does not exist. There is only an appearance of many. That is the illusion or maya, that the One appears to have limits.

Exellent way to put all of it!

[MikeS80]

Originally Posted by J_A_S_G

Sure there's a paradox as in how can the many be One or the One appear as many. That is not anywhere near obvious and in fact it defies all logic and common sense and is contradictory - the very definition of paradox. The analogies attempt to point to a resolution of the paradox. That is we can't say exactly what It is, however we can say It has a resemblance to this.

There is only a paradox, when you do not include, in the equation, the inner tv electronics and the electricity or energy that comes out of the electricity outlet that "powers" the tv, brings the tv to life or animates the tv. The movie that plays in the tv screen is not seperate or dependent on the tv screen, nor the inner electronics of the tv. The movie actually/litterally is the inner electronics of the tv and the electricity or energy that comes out of the electricity outlet. Perspective matters.

Observing, experienceing and learning in physical reality, instead of relying on what is inside ones head, is what dispel illusions.

[ajay00]

The movie screen also showcases the fact of how easy it is for our conscious attention to be arrested and have heightened emotions .

This is especially true when watching thriller or horror movies which may have the view on the edge of the seat, and even screaming or shrieking at certain scenes. Some even die of a heart attack. The arresting drama and narrative in the movie makes one forget that it is just a movie or projection on a screen. Instead of merely watching it, they get emotionally involved in it unconsciously.

Spiritual masters have used this phenomenon to show how the witnessing Self identifies similarly with the various thoughts and emotions in the mind, and by reacting unconsciously gets entangled.

[J_A_S_G]

Originally Posted by MikeS80

Exellent way to put all of it!

That's exactly what the analogies point to. The movie is an appearance of many when there is only the screen. The dream is an appearance of many when there is only the dreamer. The waves are an appearance of many when there is only water. Universes, galaxies, stars, planets, minds & bodies are an appearance of many when there is only One (That, Consciousness, however one chooses to label It).

Consciousness is One and appearances are many, and since Consciousness is One it's not the "I am conscious" as that would be many consciousnesses and in the category of illusion/unreal. That's just a reflection, i.e. an appearance too.

Conclusion: You are in fact the One, but not the you of mind & body, because if so then we have many mind-bodies claiming to be the One. It's the deeper You beyond body and mind, the You that is also Me.

All these scriptures, teachings, analogies and practices are meant to bring one to the realization (i.e. directly experience) the many are false. An error. A misidentification. It's not that there's nothing out there. It's not that there's something out there. It's that there's No Thing out there. There's not even an out there or in here either. Any thing that can be directly pointed at is not It.

[Goldcup7]

Originally Posted by J_A_S_G

Consciousness is One and appearances are many, and since Consciousness is One it's not the "I am conscious" as that would be many consciousnesses and in the category of illusion/unreal. That's just a reflection, i.e. an appearance too.

I concur.