Leo's Blog: Infinite Insights — Page 78

"When a finger points at the moon, the imbecile looks at the finger."

-- Chinese proverb

Carlin was under-appreciated as a philosopher.

Bonus video:

The mind's job is to prevent you from exploring too many diverse perspectives in life, because if you do, eventually the notion of "a reality" will completely collapse. Which is why almost everyone you encounter — including many good teachers — actively discourage you from exploring lots of perspectives.

I see so many people who haven't contemplated epistemology much talking about "proof", science, and math — trying to raise objections from these domains. But the problem with that is they implicitly assume that the domain of things which can be communicated is identical with the domain of things which can be experienced or the domain of being/truth. This is a giant mistake commonly made by rationalists, materialists, and scientists. They just assume that if it cannot be "proven" or communicated, it must not exist. Nothing could be further from the case. The notion of "proof" and communicability is far, far weaker than the notion of reality. Many, many orders of magnitude weaker. The most profound and interesting aspects of reality are utterly beyond symbolization. Which of course means I cannot speak of them with you in the videos. And is the reason why you must investigate everything personally, for yourself.

Here's a rough idea of how the domains overlap. Note that science and math are limited to the red circle.

Some definitions of "mysticism" from various dictionaries:

• Belief that union with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or the spiritual apprehension of knowledge inaccessible to the intellect, may be attained through contemplation and self-surrender.
• The experience of mystical union or direct communion with ultimate reality reported by mystics.
• The belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality can be attained through subjective experience (such as intuition or insight).
• A theory postulating the possibility of direct and intuitive acquisition of ineffable knowledge or power.
• A doctrine of an immediate spiritual intuition of truths believed to transcend ordinary understanding, or of direct, intimate union of the soul with God through contemplation or ecstasy.
• Belief in the existence of realities beyond perceptual or intellectual apprehension that are directly accessible by subjective experience.
• The term mysticism comes from the Greek, meaning "to conceal".
• Mysticism is what lets you transcend the physical to experience enlightenment — let's just say you'll recognize it when it happens.
• A person who tries to communicate directly with God.

Some definitions of "mystical" from various dictionaries:

• Mysterious, unintelligible.
• Obscure, enigmatic.
• Of hidden or esoteric meaning.
• Inducing a feeling of awe or wonder.
• Having magical properties.
• Inspiring a sense of spiritual mystery, awe, and fascination.
• Having a spiritual meaning or reality that is neither apparent to the sense nor obvious to the intelligence.
• The mystical experience of Inner Light.
• Of or relating to supernatural agencies, affairs, occurrences.
• Having a divine or sacred significance that surpasses natural human apprehension.
• Having occult or metaphysical significance, nature, or force.
• Involving or having the nature of an individual's direct subjective communion with God or ultimate reality.

Rather illuminating, eh?

Consider, the only difference between a mystic and a non-mystic is that one is cognizant of the magic of existence while the other takes it utterly for granted, and moreover, assumes that any such cognizance is impossible or somehow an affront to reason. As in, "How dare you, sir, suggest that reality might be mystical! There's obviously nothing wondrous about it!"