The Mystical Is Often Metaphorical

Anyone even vaguely familiar with the term “mystical,” whether from a religious practice or simply from an investigation into the subject generally, can usually agree that it includes a whole range of possible experiences which may qualify.  In his classic volume, “Varieties of Religious Experience,” William James writes: “The adjective ‘mystical’ is technically applied, most … Continue reading The Mystical Is Often Metaphorical

Consciousness Video Series: Episode 7: A Theory of Everything

This most recent effort in producing video content has been the most challenging of the series, for a number of reasons, and the software I'm using continues to provide a fair amount of aggravation as I worked at putting it all together, but I think the result is interesting enough considering the subject, in spite … Continue reading Consciousness Video Series: Episode 7: A Theory of Everything

Light in the Wilderness

I finally had a chance to post the poem I worked on during my recent trip into the mountains, and hope my readers and visitors will enjoy this brief video. https://videopress.com/v/SlIyuuM6?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true Here is the text of the poem, so you can read along as I recite it. Enjoy! The Only Light in the Wilderness The … Continue reading Light in the Wilderness

Consciousness Video Series: Episode 6: Metaphor and the Inner Experience

While reviewing my personal journals this month, I was surprised to come across a lengthy account of a particularly intense episode during one of my ventures within, which I had set aside a few months ago.  I generally prefer to review my writing after some time has passed, as I frequently find the routine of … Continue reading Consciousness Video Series: Episode 6: Metaphor and the Inner Experience

Spiritual Spring Cleaning

Every year as the weather becomes milder and the seasonal changes begin in the early spring, although I await with much anticipation to see the blossoming of all the greenery and flora around my modest home, I also have to consider the tasks of straightening up and clearing out of the overgrown plants and ivy … Continue reading Spiritual Spring Cleaning

A Moment of Zen: A Slice of Paradise

A few weeks ago, we were finally able to accept an invitation to spend a few days with friends in South Carolina, on Fripp Island, which is a "...six and a half square mile barrier island located along the Atlantic coast," according to Wikipedia. The Fripp Island Property Owners Association describes the island as a … Continue reading A Moment of Zen: A Slice of Paradise

Consciousness Video Series: Episode 5: Transcendence Intro

Universal Mind series. Background composition of human head and fractal clouds to complement your layouts on the subject of mind, dreams, thinking, consciousness and imagination The subject of transcendence as it relates to our subjective experience of consciousness is pretty broad in scope and complexity, and while it is one of the core issues when … Continue reading Consciousness Video Series: Episode 5: Transcendence Intro

Independent Lens: Aware: Glimpses of Consciousness

I recently encountered an amazingly good television presentation on the PBS station in my area called, "Independent Lens: Aware: Glimpses of Consciousness," and wanted to share some of my thoughts about it with my readers. While I naturally endeavor to present good quality video on this subject, the folks at PBS have really set a … Continue reading Independent Lens: Aware: Glimpses of Consciousness

Consciousness Video Series: Episode 4: Ancient Beginnings to Modern Consciousness

Desc: Scientist leaving the world. Engraving c.1520. Allegorical representation of changes in medieval conception or interpretation of the heavens when it was thought that the world was flat ¥ Credit: [ The Art Archive As modern 21st century humans, we tend to focus more of our attention on our current epoch, and in some ways … Continue reading Consciousness Video Series: Episode 4: Ancient Beginnings to Modern Consciousness

Consciousness Video Series: Episode 3: Experience of the World

The subjective experience of existing as a sentient human being is a huge subject and there are a great many sources to investigate the different angles of approach in all of the related areas of the conversation about it. Here at "John's Consciousness" I have been engaged in an eleven-year conversation with my visitors and … Continue reading Consciousness Video Series: Episode 3: Experience of the World