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

[weareunity]

Hello all.

When considering "our" continuing survival we can understand that we are capable of adopting different behavioural patterns if we believe that doing so will have the consequence of-- at least--improving the chances of "our" continuing survival.

This is not say that we will adopt such changes.

There is a big gap--an enormous chasm perhaps--between understanding the theory of such requirements and turning such requirements into practice.

The reasons for this are--as we can imagine--many and various.

One such reason coming to mind is the differing motivations driving the behaviour of ourselves as individuals coming into direct conflict with the collective behaviour judged to be now required.

Basically, yet another re-run of the "me me wants" versus the " we all need" dynamic.

A dynamic which earths resources and systems has in the past been able to accomodate without dramatic and life threatening global consequence.

As well as being in the past a dynamic having some beneficial consequences for both parties.

However. The reality now seems that by reason of the "me me wants" becoming dominant as a result of convincing/persuading the "we all need" that desires are also needs---and can be profitably represented as such--this persuasion has created a demand overload on earths resources and systems which is now responding to this change in manner of functioning in accord with the laws of science.

A change in functioning which seems to be late in being recognised by those who profit greatly from the more convenient applications of the laws of science.
Changes however which many with an ear and eye tuned into looking along the chain and consequences comprising existence have understood as probabilities.

So here we are. Looking for answers for problems which we have created.

Shall we see ourselves, our ways, our motivations as the problem?

Perhaps we shall come to understand that the rod we have made for our own backs may become the pointer to a different and collective way of choosing to behave.?

Cheers. X.

The word "profitably" typed in correctly--and hopefully with correct spelling.

[FallingLeaves]

to me, the problem here is that the people who like to do convincing are by and large 'me me me people' whereas the people who like to be convinced can often see a bigger picture... because in the past they've become convinced of enough different things that they have a larger world view than the me me me people will allow themselves. The me me me people don't want that to be the case so they will convincingly say it isn't (in another attempt to get more for themselves I suppose), but from my POV, sadly for them, it is true after all...

to me that means, most of the time that means monetary desire wins but sometimes the others get fed up enough with what that means to them personally to make waves and then we get something a little different for a while. But it is always going back and forth, this isn't a game that can ever be called truly 100% for either side. It will always cause us a lot of pain, for however long we want to play it.

Either the me me me people will be fuming about having to shut up and deal with a life where they don't get what they want because simply trying brings on too much punishment, or the others will just make do with whatever they've got even though it hurts because it hurts even more to make waves. And eventually whatever side is 'winning' becomes complacent and whatever side is 'losing' becomes more cunning so there is a shift in perspective. Again.

[weareunity]

Hello Falling Leaves. Again good to learn of your thoughts and experience. Hope you are well.

Taking up your mention of perspectives---

I wonder what it is that our " me me 's" really want? -- Are the desires for wealth, control, power, acclaim, --and other such--themselves fundamental needs masquerading as ambitions seeking to be "do it yourself" substitutes for otherwise unfullfilled yet necessary connections such as the experience of being unconditionally loved, feeling reassured of existing, a longing to be cherished etc. ?

Cheers. X.