Philosophy Now Forum

How does the consciousness work?

leisurely

-Imp

Ollie.ha wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2023 11:22 pm How does the consciousness work?

(Don't ask me) ...just kidding!

Maybe this will shed some light >https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCGDQPZYmQM

Ollie.ha wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2023 11:22 pm How does the consciousness work?

Spontaneously and effortlessly.

A metaphor to explain:

Awareness = water.
Mind = sediment suspended and swirling in the water.
Pebble = consciousness.

- In seated meditation practice, mind eventually stills like a pool of clear water, and "you’re" not there anymore to notice when that happens.
- The water stills. The sediment settles to the bottom of the pool and doesn’t stir. Eventually, for unknown reasons, a pebble drops into the water, sinks through the water and stirs one grain of sediment back into the still water. The sediment begins to stir again, and to rise up into the water, swirling.

- With practice, the passage of the pebble through the water steps outside of time, and without the sediment stirred, reveals a new world to awareness.
- The new world is experienced without judgment, or effort.
- The judgment of the experience comes later as thought, after the experience.
- After the experience of the world without thought, much of the water remains clear as it was, and only the sediment necessary for moments after the experience is stirred into awareness by the pebble, the pebble that also assesses the need to stir some sediment.
- Who drops the pebble? Indeed. From whence does consciousness arise to make manifest the thoughts that enter into awareness, sometimes so dense that they cloud the water’s perception of time?
- Answer: From the nameless thing of many names.

Walker wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:50 am
- Answer: From the nameless thing of many names.

In other words.

We don’t know ….this is unknowing.

We can speculate and draw mental images using language and narration but ultimately we may as well be painting watercolour strokes on flowing water.

Dontaskme wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 11:41 am

Walker wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:50 am
- Answer: From the nameless thing of many names.

In other words.

In other words, there ain't a name big enough that won't leave something out.

Ollie.ha wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2023 11:22 pm How does the consciousness work?

Consciousness means at least three things, self-awareness is one of the three.

Walker wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:50 am From the nameless thing of many names.

Are Democrats and Biden of that?

Ollie.ha wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2023 11:22 pm How does the consciousness work?

What do you mean?
How does it arise?
How does it do what it does?

It seems to simply be, to me. Working implies some kind of (not necessarily mechanical) process. But it seems to simply be. I'm not saying there is no process but I suspect the idea that consciousness only occurs in complexly interrelated matter is a myth.

Lacewing wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 5:50 pm

Walker wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:50 am From the nameless thing of many names.

Are Democrats and Biden of that?

There's lots of names for Democrats and Biden.

Walker wrote: ↑Wed Nov 22, 2023 5:07 am

Lacewing wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 5:50 pm

Walker wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:50 am From the nameless thing of many names.

Are Democrats and Biden of that?

There's lots of names for Democrats and Biden.

All nameless names, in other words, all there is, is this, this, this, this unknowing.

Ollie.ha wrote: ↑Sat Nov 18, 2023 11:22 pm How does the consciousness work?

Consciousness is not a thing but the ability of the mind to experience.

How does a transformer work?
Answer: Well, he hums like - oooo...

But seriously, if you find out the answer, please share it. It could be the most important discovery of all time.