What is Reality? – Part5 (Conclusion) - Other Perspectives of Reality
It is difficult for an open-minded person, especially if he/she has a scientific background to deny that the various issues of the socially-accepted concepts of sense-experience reality are open to question. Yet, despite the above-stated factors, very few people are willing to give serious consideration to seeking other perspectives of reality. Perhaps the main reason for this is the very powerful factor of social conditioning or socialization coupled with the need to avoid a feeling of aloneness in one's existence.Social conditioning is necessary for the existence of a society, otherwise there will be chaos and confusion. Nevertheless, it tends to rob an individual of some measure of his/her individuality, giving in return a certain degree of social security which has a vital role in helping an individual to overcome a feeling of aloneness in his/her existence. This social security may be defined as a sense of belonging and recognition within the society. The actual amounts taken and given by the social conditioning process vary with different individuals.
Social conditioning has such a powerful effect on one's concept of reality that very few individuals are seriously willing to seek new perspectives of reality even though many realize that the perspectives of the socially-accepted concepts of sense-experience reality are very open to question. If they attempt to do otherwise, they run the risk of being denied the social security mentioned and of experiencing alienation and estrangement from society, and of facing a frightening and almost unbearable feeling of aloneness in their existence, and most are unwilling to take that risk.
The few who realize the shortcomings of the socially-accepted concepts of reality and who dare to seek new perspectives of reality are faced head-on with the question: Is it possible that one can experience some form of reality in life which transcends human sense experience and the process of logical reasoning, since these factors necessarily give a distorted view? What do you think?
Comments (4)
Thanks for your comment.
As you mentioned, many persons are caught up in the reality of their daily life to help them survive in the here and now.
However, I view you as someone who experience something quite different from the norm.
In particular, I refer to your tree hugging and the special feeling you get from the experience.
To me, that is a unique aspect of reality.
The path that leads past heaven
and far beyond the highest god-realms
runs straight from the spot
where we happen to be standing
It is mysterious and invisible
to minds befogged by concepts
such as good and evil
light and dark
going and arriving
self and other
is and is not
To perceive it requires
the seeing beyond sight
the hearing beyond sound
The truth is grasped
when the mind in its stillness
reaches the no-place beyond thought
Knowledge is discarded
Wisdom remains
God and no-god are found to be identical
No mental concept is involved
only experience
-a unique perception
joy-bestowing
that leads to imperturbable tranquillity
to recognition of the beauty
inherent in every flower
in every grain of dust
cement or dung
and to unqualified liberation
from the human state
The experience is nameless
being luminously perceptible
but utterly beyond description
This is the way of mysticism
Unfortunately
everything pertaining to mysticism
lies beyond definition and description
Transcending logic
it deals with truth
that is attainable only
by direct intuition
The Taoist Lao-tzu says of it:
He who knows does not speak
He who speaks does not know
I feel certain that there are CS members who have had similar experiences. I wish to invite you to share such experiences with others here if you do not mind.
I have had such experiences of my own which I hope to post in subsequent blogs.
I have written the book down and will read, sounds very interesting.
My tree hugging
I do believe there are different dimensions to our life in the universe, but I suppose one can believe in anything if it comes from deep inside of self. Socrates I stopped delving into things so, it cannot help anyone at this stage of understanding in our lives. If it helped feeding people, or stopped cruelty and wars then yes, as for myself well I understand no one gets out of this life alive
Wishing you well Socrates