UnbornTao

This is what I mean by not paying attention. Where are you coming from such that that is a consideration in the first place?

There's a lot to be grasped. Paying attention is needed. The problem is thinking you already get it. I know this sounds harsh, I just drank coffee on an empty stomach. I need to metabolize the fucking cortisol.

Why not ask him directly?

But the truth is, and it is not a perspective, otherwise what's the fucking point? I don't mind, I can put distance between teachers. But you think he's just sharing opinions or something.

I don't think I'd be able to lay that out meaningfully. Too involved a question. Why not ask him? For example, if I recall correctly, virtually no one makes the distinction of "consciousness" that he does. I'd imagine the way everyone holds that is as cognition or some such. Which might explain the psychedelic thingy.

As if he were talking from a perspective. Your claim rests on the assumption that you understand what he's getting across. Not likely.

@Natasha Tori Maru Not true, just ask him.

If that's accurate, ask him what that's about.

As far as I can tell, nothing is being missed - as in, nothing is lacking. On the other hand, consciousness is needed. If you get brutally honest with yourself, I bet you could probably admit that it's just a nice notion you've adopted. Belief is a bitch. It is possible - but really, I don't trust that people are able to be truthful about their experience. It's like when people talk about no-self and such: the chances of it being real for them are slim.

Yeah, and I don't think that sober bullshit will fly with him either. First fantasy to demolish.

Actually, if you think you're at his level, what are you even doing? It's safe to say that nobody currently alive is.

Quite a pickle. I guess it would be more like an interview - letting him talk, and you asking poignant questions occasionally, like the format of his podcast. "Bhagavā Ralston, what is the nature of objective reality?" (Tongue-in-cheek, probably not the best question to ask.)

Well, time to give up your pride, then.

It was more about his "level" of consciousness, I think. The self there is seen for what it is. Whatever. It might be a bit like interviewing Gautama before he dies.

Not sure he'd talk in terms of "states of consciousness", but definitely.

I'm going to remain skeptical about it, if you don't mind.

Sure. I was just inviting us to be grounded and admit what our everyday experience is actually like, despite our conceptions about it.

@Leo Gura Also, I don't know if this would work, but you might want to contact Werner Erhard and Stewart Emery, too. But hurry up! These guys are not particularly young.

It is what it is But nah, Ralston's been gone for a while

You know, before he dies.

Ralston! He was willing to have a chat with you, if I recall.

That what you said about the absolute and the rest is something other than hearsay and second-hand knowledge.

It could be, but I'm not holding my breath. Talk is cheap. And yeah - if you're talking about a drug experience, it's most likely something you're just making up in your own mind. It's not about bullshitting others so much as deluding yourself about what you actually went through. Being a charlatan is all too easy - and it can be smelled from miles away. There isn't really any meaningful relationship between the drugs you take and how enlightened you think you are - except in your own mind. So I disagree with your main premise.

Yes, this is functional, maybe even necessary to a degree.

It is likely to be hearsay - something you've heard from others that you haven't personally experienced. It's a bit like religion. The fact is that no direct experience of the truth has been had; only an adopted idea.