Sitting in a corner, attempting to shut down all neuro-circuits, seems like a noble pursuit (you could be out robbing banks). But then, how does one pick and choose which lines to disconnect? I'm sure you prefer not to extinguish the ability to use a fork and knife, drive a car or use a cell phone? Maybe you prefer just extinguishing childhood trauma or the day your spouse left you for another lover? Or the time you had your car repossessed cause you lost your job?
Or are you actually, unknowingly, constructing new circuits to compete with the old? It seems Buddhist's have extinguished much of the circuitry that deals with material possessions (but they still like their statues, incense and pillows).
But what circuits brought you to that corner anyway? What circuits gave meaning to the meditation causing you to desire the practice? Is your spirituality an offshoot of cognitive-emotive circuits that eventually failed in seeking pleasure from the world?
The circuits will never let you escape, so go ahead and keep doing what your doing. You were always meant to do it....
...from the very moment of your birth.
Dearest mikeS...
ReplyDeleteIt has been much too long. I come by your site every now and than and attempt a read. I click away and wonder what the "f@#&"...
Nice to know you are still alive and out there and all "f&%$ed Up" just the same...
Hope life is well for you...
Denim
Well I'll be hog tied!
ReplyDeleteS'up Denim????
Remember when we started that group????
Actually, as you can see from reading stuff here, I've become a little more fooked up than those days, but I hope you're doing well.
Always good to hear from ya!
Mike
You seem to be someone on a 'bad trip' at this point in your life. What's worse though is that you seem determined to drag every one of your readers down with you, or at least the impressionable ones. If you are fooling yourself into thinking you are writing this kind of nihilistic know-it-all stuff for others' benefit 'because they need to see the cold, hard truth', don't be deluded. You enjoy trying to make people feel stuck as a piece of matter in a meaningless universe because THAT'S HOW YOU FEEL. You take snide enjoyment in making out other people's activities are worthless because you get no enjoyment in your own life anymore. You don't know what consciousness is, no one does at this point in time, if they ever will. Stop pretending you have the grand scheme of things figured out or that you even care about helping people at this stage, because you patently don't give a shit about anything. If you think I am presuming too much about your experience; NOTICE THAT YOU DO THIS TO OTHER PEOPLE ALL THE TIME. Presuming you know what their experience is when they meditate or experience the 'spiritual', or that you know exactly what is occurring when they do and that YOU KNOW for sure it can be reduced to simply physical process. You don't know! Admit it. Look forward to your glib response.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMany find much satisfaction in the electrochemical currents of "indignant" circuits as they fire off in tandem with meaning circuits from the past that inform us that we are "offended" and must voice complaint.
ReplyDeleteThere's NO escape from the circuits...
Wonderful example.
Thanks!
Mike
Ugh idk, before you reply I wasn't trying to attack you as such in that previous post btw. I just read some of your earlier articles now and have to admit that you probably think your approach is very helpful. My point was that you seem to think you have it all figured out, which frankly strikes me as arrogant. I definitely find myself agreeing with some of what you write however (for what it's worth), and have actually been a long time reader. But I haven't been back for a while because frankly I found your outlook too bleak, materialistic and so damn sure of yourself. Do you have a 'goal' for writing the way you do, as such? What kind of effect are you attempting to engender in the reader? If you've made this explicit in other places please forgive my ignorance as I haven't read most that you've written of late. Thanks
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend,
ReplyDeleteMy "seeming to have it all figured out," thereby, generating an interpretation of "arrogance" cannot be attributed to my gray matter whatsoever.
However, it should be noted that in reading my posts some really intense electrochemical firings seem to be generated demanding you declare me a fraud (in so many words).
Nevertheless, some have responded that they have experienced an increased sense of freedom from this type of neurological perspective, as opposed to "bleak and materialistic."
It all depends on the circuitry (which is, of course, my only point)
Thanks!
Mike
Now that is funny...
ReplyDeleteDenim!
REALLY??????????? O:-)
ReplyDeleteYes you know what I regretted writing that outburst as soon as I had sent it. I just read it back and it sounded a lot angrier and more accusatory than I felt though, I assure you. Please accept my apologies. I feel bad for saying that, even though, I agree with you that people only do what they must in a sense, according to conditioning etc. Which I suppose is the kind of neurological mess you are trying to assist people in accepting? I don't think you are a fraud, I just was unsure of the 'place' you were coming from. I guess my conditioning just makes me feel a sense of dread and hopelessness when I read some of the concepts you put out there. This converted into anger and I vented on you, thinking other people may see 'the error of your ways' or something. A mistake I guess. I do find a lot your stuff fascinating and intriguing I must admit, that which I can understand with my feeble and often confused circuits! I'm glad that it is of use to people and helpful for those who 'get it' more than I. All the best.
ReplyDeleteNo apologies needed. You responded as you felt, but show an open-mindedness to review your impulses.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest looking to the sidebar and reading some of the posts under "neuro-self" and see if that possibly provokes further thought. But please feel free to question everything and even angrily if the spirit (circuits) move you.
The only thing I can say (in my defense?) is that years of seeking to annihilate the ego-self finally led me to the understanding that, as brain circuitry, it has never really existed at all. Now all I do is ponder that and I do that here.
But it is true. I can be an arrogant sumbitch sometimes...
Alas, I've come to accept the backlash from such circuits.
Much obliged!
mikeS
Thanks Mike for your gracious attitude, despite my amateurish attempt at character assassination! I went from saying your work was a pile of shit, to potentially interesting, to this is great stuff in one day! I found your piece 'Being In the Neuro-Moment' genuinely illuminating. If I'd read that first that might never of happened, but that's just pointless speculation.
ReplyDeleteI guess it is your position (as I understand it, I could be wrong again) that we are no more than our brains and bodies that I find disquieting and counterintuitive. I have had the experience that we are the much larger field, all of us, though I am aware that this could be an elaborate product of my brain too perhaps (seems a stretch to me, but it's possible).
I feel the need to defend the position sometimes, as it's counterpart has felt quite nightmarish to me at times. Strangely though, I felt more compassionate to others during that time than I have when my more 'spiritual' beliefs have been in effect. I really had (and still have to some degree) the sense that everyone really is just doing the best they can with the little they have, it was very poignant. I don't know whether to take on faith my intuition, coupled with the words of various people, that we are in some sense much greater than our individual identities (and are not really them), when the realisation if it comes to anyone, seems to be when all beliefs are dropped (at least momentarily)? Or is that not even necessary. Seems like yet another weird dilemma.
I hold the position that people can only say for sure when they have experienced this 'state'. It sounds like you have or are now, but that you consider it be a brain artefact, if I'm right? You have obviously considered this, but could this not just be another restricting belief in the brain? Be interested to hear your thoughts.
And yeah, backlash, I'm feeling that! The 'guilt circuits' kicked in once I realised what I'd said big time, but you diffused it with your good humour, so thanks for that!
"I guess it is your position (as I understand it, I could be wrong again) that we are no more than our brains and bodies that I find disquieting and counterintuitive."
ReplyDeleteIndeed. I still struggle with that idea. But neuroscience and much East Indian spiritual philosophy maintains the position (albeit, tenuously)
"I really had (and still have to some degree) the sense that everyone really is just doing the best they can with the little they have, it was very poignant."
And that encapsulates quite succinctly my own perspective. So if we are doing the best we can, why experience guilt that things should be different?
"I don't know whether to take on faith my intuition, coupled with the words of various people, that we are in some sense much greater than our individual identities (and are not really them), when the realisation if it comes to anyone, seems to be when all beliefs are dropped (at least momentarily)?"
I do agree we are much greater than our individual identities, yet I have no perspective to back that idea up. However, at this point, I tend to shy away from what that might be for fear of becoming caught up in the concepts. The purpose here is deconstructing identity and that is pretty much it. I leave it to other more brighter minds (brains?) than me to burrow down that rabbit hole. Maybe you?
"I hold the position that people can only say for sure when they have experienced this 'state'."
We seem to be talking about a state that transcends electrochemical synaptical transmissions within brain neurochemistry. At present, I sense that this is absurd, since we rely on neurochemistry for so much else and if it were possible should it not annihilate all other circuits? Even Nisargadatta could not extinguish the desire circuitry for nicotine, although many claimed he was "enlightened."
I am totally willing to alter my viewpoint with this, as the circuits are not that concrete as of yet. So any alternative viewpoints are highly welcome.
Yet, eventually it will all come down to the paradox of "consciousness." which I am currently pressing my circuitry to increase understanding of.
Your questions are excellent!
Thanks!
mikeS
Cheers Mike, you have left me with some more stuff to mull over. Glad that you have a very open mind about this stuff. I think if any mind can to get to the bottom of this it'll be one like yours! As I say I have actually been reading your work for some years now (believe it or not!) so have some sense of the depth to which you go, even if I don't understand all of it by any stretch. I will keep checking your articles out in future for sure.
ReplyDeleteTake care dude!
Mr. Anonymous...
ReplyDeleteIt is Funny...even more so... really!
I have been "hanging" with mr. mikeS for some years now via internet and so am accustomed to his words, theories and arrogance!
He plays all type of roles but sincerely has a huge heart even though he rarely shows it.
He can be brilliant at times but best not to let him know that!
I do agree with him which is rare...you have demonstrated an open mindness and willingness.
Sometimes that is all it takes...
Take care dude!
Denim
mikeS...
ReplyDeleteYou have a talent in seeking out some amazing art work on the web...the pictures / art tell it all!
Cheers!
Denim...
"He plays all type of roles but sincerely has a huge heart even though he rarely shows it."
ReplyDeleteBlasphemy!
mikeS
Hey Denim, I didn't ask you 'really?' that was someone else, just to confuse matters. I'm sure that initial exchange was funny to behold!
ReplyDeleteThat's the problem with writing anonymously, all kinds of weirdness can be attributed to you. Some people seem to find that kind of thing interesting.
Thanks, take care.