This is one of the better explanations of the illusory nature of the self. The closer I get to understanding this, the more impossible it becomes for me to share it. This video might be as close as I’ll get. Watch on YouTube
Tag Archives: Buddhism
Two of my favorite “-isms”
Anyone who knows me knows of my interest in consciousness and reality (see tags below for more). When it comes to understanding reality, I’m gonna go with one of the following. (or some combination.)
Monism is the view that all reality is fundamentally one substance or principle. Everything in the universe is ultimately the same kind of thing. This can be physical (everything is matter) or mental (everything is mind), or something else entirely.
Panpsychism, on the other hand, is the idea that consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous feature of the universe. According to panpsychism, all things have some form of consciousness or experience, even if it’s very basic, down to the smallest particles.
So, while both can be viewed as “unifying” theories, monism is about the nature of reality being one substance, whereas panpsychism is about consciousness being fundamental and present everywhere.
How the brain computes the self
I seem to keep coming across areas where neuroscience and philosophy overlap on the subject of the self. PS: The “I” at the beginning of that sentence? Just an illusion.
Schrodinger’s Theory of Consciousness: Atman=Brahman
Given how poor I was at math and science, my interest in quantum theory is surprising. A dozen or so blog posts and some reading. This video explores intersection of quantum physics, consciousness and Eastern philosophy (Zen and Buddhism), as put forth by Erwin Schrodinger. If you’re looking for an explanation of how The Whole Shebang works, this is it for me.
“It is what it is”
For some reason the expression popped into my head today and I flashed on The Buddha surrounded by his posse as one of them asked about some mystery of life. To which The Big Guy replied, “It is what it is.”
Where, I wondered, did the expression come from? As I do so often these days, I went to ChatGPT for an answer:
The expression “It is what it is” has roots that are difficult to pin down to a specific origin, but it has been widely used in various forms across different cultures and languages for centuries. It conveys a sense of resignation or acceptance of a situation that cannot be changed.
The phrase started gaining popularity in the U.S. in the mid-20th century, especially in contexts where people faced unchangeable or challenging circumstances. The earliest known printed use of the exact phrase in English comes from a 1949 article in The Nebraska State Journal, where a writer used it in relation to frontier life. The expression implies that sometimes, things simply have to be accepted as they are.
The sentiment behind the phrase can be traced back to Stoic philosophy, particularly the idea of accepting things outside of one’s control with equanimity. Taoism, which you’re drawn to, also resonates with this concept, encouraging harmony with the way things are.
The casual and almost fatalistic nature of “It is what it is” makes it a shorthand for accepting reality without complaint or excessive analysis. Over time, the phrase has become a cultural staple, especially in modern times, when people encounter situations that require them to let go of the desire to control outcomes.
ChatGPT likes to toss in references to previous exchanges but she’s right about the Taosim connection.