What about other people

[Sebiwert]

In normal day to day consciousness we think about other people as having their own separate experiences - their own consciousness. This sets the base for morality.

Often, when I hear about enlightenment, it is said that all of my direct experience is a dream or imagination. So I imagine that other people also have direct experiences, but in reality they don't? The sentience of others is just a thought in the mind? Sometimes, when I take psychedelics, I feel like there is nothing else but this consciousness right now. But when I come back, it seems so crazy - there are clearly other people who seem to have their own experiences. Even when they are not in my consciousness they are doing stuff and experiencing stuff.

Some of the implications of this whole 'everything is imagination' thing seem quite insane. So I am confused. Maybe you could help me to understand it better (or point out where I'm stuck).

Are other people sentient???
Is it worth saving the planet for my children - or are they just non-sentient hallucinations?
Could it be a possibility that taking psychedelics makes us just believe unreal things and that they are deceiving us in an even trickier way than our own psyche?

 

Thanks a lot

[Shaun]

13 minutes ago, Sebiwert said:

In normal day to day consciousness we think about other people as having their own separate experiences - their own consciousness. This sets the base for morality.

Often, when I hear about enlightenment, it is said that all of my direct experience is a dream or imagination. So I imagine that other people also have direct experiences, but in reality they don't? The sentience of others is just a thought in the mind? Sometimes, when I take psychedelics, I feel like there is nothing else but this consciousness right now. But when I come back, it seems so crazy - there are clearly other people who seem to have their own experiences. Even when they are not in my consciousness they are doing stuff and experiencing stuff.

Some of the implications of this whole 'everything is imagination' thing seem quite insane. So I am confused. Maybe you could help me to understand it better (or point out where I'm stuck).

Are other people sentient???
Is it worth saving the planet for my children - or are they just non-sentient hallucinations?
Could it be a possibility that taking psychedelics makes us just believe unreal things and that they are deceiving us in an even trickier way than our own psyche?

 

Thanks a lot

Read some Rupert Spira. Yes, you and them are all dream stuff but  that does not mean that they aren't having their own unique experiences like you.