Building My Existential Vocabulary

[The Don]

Hello.

I've been watching Leo's video about the importance of building your existential vocabulary.

As I read and contemplate the definitions for 'reality' (from multiple dictionaries) I gain insights and my mind is coming up with my own definitions.

E.g., my mind came up with those explanations for reality: "everything that exists as it is or the things that we experience". 

It's remarkable. It works and I love doing this.

Are you doing this too? What's your method of building your vocabulary?

[Forestluv]

1 hour ago, The Don said:

E.g., my mind came up with those explanations for reality: "everything that exists as it is or the things that we experience". 

I love contemplating words. When you say "everything that exists as it is " - consider what "as it is" means.

Imagine looking at a red apple. What is the red apple "as it is"? 

As a starter, ask yourself if the red color actually exists. There are no external colors. There are just wavelengths of light. Your brain adds in the color. So, is the apple actually red? A Mantis Shrimp would see dozens of colors on that apple - colors that you don't even know exist. . . What does it mean for a red apple to exist as it is?

[The Don]

36 minutes ago, Serotoninluv said:

I love contemplating words. When you say "everything that exists as it is " - consider what "as it is" means.

Thanks for reply. "as it is" in my context is the meaning of 'absolute'. Something that is 'objective'.

[Forestluv]

33 minutes ago, The Don said:

Thanks for reply. "as it is" in my context is the meaning of 'absolute'. Something that is 'objective'.

Super. So in the example above, would you consider the apple to be red?

The concept of "objective" gets quite thorny. . . 

[The Don]

You gave a great example with the red apple. Love it.

Yes, I believe so. I would consider the apple to be red because I see it that way.

If there are no colors in reality, it means that seeing the apple by being 'RED' is something subjective.

P.S: What definition do you have for reality? Your own please.

Edited October 9, 2018 by The Don

[Forestluv]

1 hour ago, The Don said:

P.S: What definition do you have for reality? Your own please.

Any definition I could come up with is *within* reality and would be very limited.

The closest I've come . . . "IS"

[Sahil Pandit]

@Serotoninluv @The Don Nice thread. 

The "IS" is what really shook me up.

Especially when I was smacked with an answer to "What IS Language"

[The Don]

As I'm leaning a new word today (EXISTENCE), it feels that is so hard to understand... It's tricky.

The words can be described in many many ways.

When you're able to define the word as you like you reach the point where you understand it. Otherwise nothing is clear.

[Forestluv]

1 hour ago, The Don said:

When you're able to define the word as you like you reach the point where you understand it. Otherwise nothing is clear.

It sounds like you've gone deeper to a place where you are grounded ("reach the point where you understand it). I think if you dig deeper you will reach a place that is groundless. For me, that's when things get really interesting. Yet, then it gets really hard to communicate with others.

[The Don]

7 hours ago, Serotoninluv said:

It sounds like you've gone deeper to a place where you are grounded ("reach the point where you understand it). I think if you dig deeper you will reach a place that is groundless. For me, that's when things get really interesting. Yet, then it gets really hard to communicate with others.

Yes. It's very intimidating. Sometimes it feels like I don't get it. Sometimes language seems unclear. But in the end we'll get it.

[Forestluv]

1 hour ago, The Don said:

Yes. It's very intimidating. Sometimes it feels like I don't get it. Sometimes language seems unclear. But in the end we'll get it.

Or perhaps not. The deepest I’ve dug is groundless. I doubt there is any grounding deeper down.

[The Don]

I came across the word MAGIC;

This is what MAGIC looks like in my own definition: 'An effect apparently coming from a supernatural power'.

There are lots of definitions on the web with slightly different meanings.

When I see so many dictionaries with so many explanations for a single word I'm blown away.

Edited October 12, 2018 by The Don

[Forestluv]

@The Don Nice.

Authentic is good too

[The Don]

On 10/12/2018 at 5:10 AM, Serotoninluv said:

@The Don Nice.

Authentic is good too

Thanks man.

I would like to have your own definition for MAGIC.

It helps me a lot to see more perspectives.