Close your eyes and listen carefully to a sound. Normally we think of "consciousness" as a property that you have that lets you experience the world. Instead, I now want you to conceive of consciousness as more like a substance that is currently taking the form of whatever sound you are intently listening to. Can you get the sense that "sound is made of consciousness?"
Some find this immediately intuitive. Others find it a little harder. Surely sound is made of something like air waves? If this is where you find yourself, just reflect on the fact that all experience happens in your mind. Sound, as one such experience, can therefore only be made of mind-stuff. Here we're just giving that stuff the name "consciousness." Don't let this remain just an idea: close your eyes and see that this is what noises actually are.
You can do this with other sensory objects, too. More subtly, do it with emotions and feelings. Finally, notice that your thoughts are also made of this "stuff."
Become really interested in what this "stuff" is. Be like a scientist in the field, examining it from every angle, in every guise. What, exactly, is it?
Now comes the really interesting question: who wants to know? "Well, I want to know, of course!" But that thought -- like all thoughts -- is just consciousness itself, in one of its infinite costumes. Try to find this "I" that wants to know. Maybe you feel a sensation behind your eyes, where it feels like the "I" must be. But this sensation is just consciousness shining, as well; no more special here than in any of its other myriad incarnations.
What if there is no "privileged position" where this one-who-is-conscious sits? What if the very idea of such a one is a myth; a story that's been told for so long that it seems too obvious to doubt?
But discovering the illusoriness of the supposed "I" is only half the fun. Because even if there's nobody there to be curious about what, exactly, this consciousness stuff is, it has become pretty damn interested in itself.
It's ineffable and ungraspable, yet "your" whole world is made of it. Look around. Pretty awesome, huh? And if you've ever had a moment where you're in awe of life's majesty and wonder, it's this magnificent substance you've been bowing before.
Whatever it is, it really deserves a closer look, doesn't it?
Some find this immediately intuitive. Others find it a little harder. Surely sound is made of something like air waves? If this is where you find yourself, just reflect on the fact that all experience happens in your mind. Sound, as one such experience, can therefore only be made of mind-stuff. Here we're just giving that stuff the name "consciousness." Don't let this remain just an idea: close your eyes and see that this is what noises actually are.
You can do this with other sensory objects, too. More subtly, do it with emotions and feelings. Finally, notice that your thoughts are also made of this "stuff."
Become really interested in what this "stuff" is. Be like a scientist in the field, examining it from every angle, in every guise. What, exactly, is it?
Now comes the really interesting question: who wants to know? "Well, I want to know, of course!" But that thought -- like all thoughts -- is just consciousness itself, in one of its infinite costumes. Try to find this "I" that wants to know. Maybe you feel a sensation behind your eyes, where it feels like the "I" must be. But this sensation is just consciousness shining, as well; no more special here than in any of its other myriad incarnations.
What if there is no "privileged position" where this one-who-is-conscious sits? What if the very idea of such a one is a myth; a story that's been told for so long that it seems too obvious to doubt?
But discovering the illusoriness of the supposed "I" is only half the fun. Because even if there's nobody there to be curious about what, exactly, this consciousness stuff is, it has become pretty damn interested in itself.
It's ineffable and ungraspable, yet "your" whole world is made of it. Look around. Pretty awesome, huh? And if you've ever had a moment where you're in awe of life's majesty and wonder, it's this magnificent substance you've been bowing before.
Whatever it is, it really deserves a closer look, doesn't it?
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