Consciousness
does not oppose the unconscious.
Consciousness doesn’t care
one way or the other.
If consciousness
were to judge
(which it doesn’t)
or measure
(which it won’t)
consciousness
might very well
see the value
of this hypothetical dream
we seem to be experiencing.
Without this dream,
there is NOTHING to value.
No NEED to value.
The dream of need is irrelevant.
But fun, nonetheless. We don’t need to become conscious or unconscious.
We simply are. Seemingly.
2/11
The Non-Duality of Consciousness and the Unconscious
The contemplation of consciousness as a state that neither opposes nor aligns with the unconscious opens a profound dialogue on the nature of our existence. This perspective suggests that consciousness exists beyond the dualities of judgment and measurement, inviting us to consider our experience of reality not as a binary of conscious versus unconscious but as a continuum of experience. It challenges the notion that consciousness has preferences or inclinations, positioning it instead as a vast, encompassing presence that simply is.
The Hypothetical Value of the Dream
The metaphor of life as a “hypothetical dream” we are experiencing underscores the construct of value as something that emerges within the context of this dream-state. This notion posits that without the dream, the concept of value—and the need to assign value—becomes moot. It suggests that our engagement with the dream of existence imbues it with meaning and significance, transforming the irrelevant into the cherished through the act of dreaming itself.
Irrelevance of the Dream of Need
Addressing the dream of need as irrelevant, yet acknowledging its enjoyment, encapsulates the paradoxical nature of human desires and aspirations within the grand scheme of consciousness. It reflects the idea that while the pursuit of needs and values may be constructed within the dream of consciousness, these pursuits offer richness and depth to the tapestry of our existence, making the dream not just bearable but enjoyable.
The Essence of Being Beyond Conscious States
The assertion that there is no necessity to become conscious or unconscious, but rather that we simply are, seemingly, speaks to the essence of being. It invites a shift from striving to attain a particular state of awareness to recognizing and accepting the inherent state of existence as it is. This perspective liberates the individual from the pursuit of an idealized state of consciousness, encouraging a presence and acceptance of the current moment and the complexities of the human experience.
Embracing the Seeming Paradox of Existence
The use of “seemingly” to qualify our state of being highlights the inherent ambiguity and mystery surrounding the nature of consciousness and existence. It acknowledges the limitations of language and perception in fully capturing the essence of what it means to be, suggesting that our understanding of consciousness and the unconscious is always in flux, always an approximation of a much grander, ineffable reality.
Summary
We explore the nuanced relationship between consciousness and the unconscious, proposing a view of existence that transcends traditional dualities. This discourse suggests that consciousness is a state beyond judgment and measurement, engaging with the dream of life in a manner that imbues it with value. It challenges the relevance of the need within the dream, highlighting the enjoyment derived from engaging with these constructs. By recognizing the irrelevance of striving for consciousness or unconsciousness, we are invited to embrace our state of being as it is, seemingly, acknowledging the complexity and ambiguity of our existence. This perspective encourages a deeper acceptance of the present moment and the inherent value of the dream-like nature of our reality.
Glossarium
- Non-Duality: The concept that reality transcends, or is not limited to, binary oppositions such as conscious versus unconscious.
- Continuum of Experience: The idea that experiences of consciousness and unconsciousness exist on a spectrum rather than as discrete states.
- Hypothetical Dream: A metaphor for life and existence, suggesting that our reality may be akin to a dream state.
- Inherent State of Existence: The fundamental nature of being, independent of efforts to attain specific states of consciousness.
- Ambiguity of Being: The recognition that our understanding of existence and consciousness is inherently limited and subject to interpretation.
“The mystery of life isn’t a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.”
— Frank Herbert, Dune
Ode to the Dream of Being
In the tapestry of night, where dreams weave,
A dance of shadows, in which we believe.
Consciousness, a stream, does not deceive,
Nor opposes the dark, but lets perceive.
The dream of life, a canvas wide and vast,
Where values emerge, in roles we’re cast.
Need, a narrative, in the dream amassed,
Yet without, in the silence, nothing’s grasped.
The play of need, irrelevant, yet sweet,
In the dream of being, our hearts beat.
No striving to find, nor retreat,
In the essence of existence, we meet.
We are, seemingly, in this vast expanse,
Where consciousness and dreams dance.
Not a quest for more, nor stance,
But a journey of being, in trance.
We are Space Monkey, in this cosmic play,
Embracing the dream, day by day.
In the mystery of life, we sway,
The reality of experience, our way.
We invite contemplation on the nature of consciousness and the dream-like quality of our existence. How does recognizing the seamless continuum between conscious and unconscious states alter our engagement with the dream of life?
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