If we look at all of the examples in nature, we see a kind of evolution of consciousness, which culminates in humans. I say that it culminates in humans because our particular type of consciousness appears to be the most complex and the most adaptable. Although we are clearly still animals, no other animal has as many ways to respond to circumstances, to interact with the world. Of course we could someday discover other animals which are even more advanced than us, perhaps on other planets. This intelligence and consciousness is not a function of our opposable thumbs, nor even of our brain capacity. Large brains alone do not guarantee the kind of conscious relation to the world that we are capable of. Other animals with large brains do not think like we do (as far as we can tell). They do not reflect on their lives and change their plans for the future. It is not just what we have for a brain, but how we use it. Now, it is true that a dog, or even a lion can be raised to be gentle with smaller animals, rather than trying to kill and eat them. This shows that they are adaptable to new circumstances, and can even develop behaviors that seem to go against their instinctive ones. There isnt much evidence that this is a result of a conscious decision made by the animals. Humans, on the other hand, can choose to change. This process can be manifested in changing of habits of body and mind over time. For example, even if you did not initially feel generous to others you could choose to be more kind and giving to people until this became your habitual response to strangers and friends alike. Lets now return to the initial question of whether we can make such changes more instantaneously as a result of new knowledge and awareness. I dont have an answer, but it seems that if we can at any moment decide to choose a better thought or action rather than a worse one, there might be hope that seeing clearly what is needed and being aware of what is possible could lead to a sudden transformation in perspective and so (maybe) even character. Like when people need to feel together, for security, like people going more into their original religion to find peace. Yoga, Buddism or simply meditation. Blacks in america turned to islam (Malcolm X) for feeling togertherness. By the way, the limited evidence for this hypothesis comes from studies of people who have had near-death experiences and those who have psychedelic mushroom trips that changed their lives. (I have a page that covers research on the positive effects of magic mushrooms.) In both types of cases people have reported positive life changes from their experiences. It is true that the positive effects seem to slowly diminish in time, but that just suggests that we are forgetful in some fundamental way, and so might need regular reminding of some sort in order to sustain a new and useful perspective or consciousness. It is also possible that those of us who are too intellectual in our approach to what might be called spiritual matters find it more difficult to have enlightening or transformative experiences. Just as there is a difference between a scientists explanation of flight and the actual experience and sensation of flying, analyzing the possible perspectives might be a poor substitute for exploring them more directly. Should we talk about the mountain or climb it?
Posted on: Sun, 27 Oct 2013 16:30:29 +0000
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