Fluidity – A Five Minute Meditation
The detail of the world is obscured by our heterophenomenology*, that is our beliefs about the world which are independent of the truth about the world. To me mental illness is a great teacher in this regard. Experiencing the symptoms of depression tell me that my story about myself, my view of the world, is not entirely related to my actual state of wellness or disease. The symptoms appear unrelated to my perceived moods, stressors, or antecedents. There seems to be a failure in cause and effect if I take my belief that I am in a healthy state as the truth.
Here is where great doubt is valuable. As Dennett and his colleagues in the cognitive sciences are uncovering. Our personal expertise in consciousness it mostly faulty. Our brains are frequently projecting magic into our experience of consciousness.
These video clips which I borrowed from Discovery Showcase: Invisible Worlds In the Water show how our beliefs about how water dripping into a water bath are false when seen slowed down using video shot at 10000 frames a second. The video is beautiful and a good example of how our beliefs are often wrong about the detail of our world.
Meditation: Accepting the world as it is, is no small feat. It is not quite letting go. There is a certain effort one must exert to free your mind of its delusions. What does that effort feel like? Does knowing the truth have any bearing on accepting the world as it is?
*Daniel C. Dennett – Consciousness Explained
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These videos are produced for those of us who spend an inordinately large amount of time in the cyber-world. They are not a substitute for unplugging from your devices and taking a stroll near trees, water, or a patch of unkempt grass. Getting out into the world - touching, smelling, hearing, and seeing nature is the best way to reconnect with our prime purpose.
What is our prime purpose? We are feeling and sensing machines. We are the universe looking back on itself. We are witness to the wonders and dangers of living in this corner of the cosmos. We are the seekers looking for connection a little further beyond yesterday's borders and boundaries.
But sitting and staring at the screen robs us of the sustenance that we rely upon for wonder and sanity. These videos are an opportunity to bring the sensations of nature to you, while you're in the cyber-world. Its an opportunity to relax your gaze, resettle your posture, and regain some depth in your breath. Listen and watch the video and allow your self to open up and recharge.
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