The Challenge of Comprehending Consciousness I know that there is a connection between my inner world and the world without. Subjectively, it is clear to me that this is the case, and I am confident that the statements I make, the theories I embrace and put forward, are a reflection of my genuine knowledge—the genuine … Continue reading The Challenge of Comprehending Consciousness
Mist and Shadows “Home is behind the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread, Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are all alight.” “Mist and shadows, cloud and shade— All shall fade, all shall fade.” Follow the link below to hear the song: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1307202833541080/ Lyrics and Music from Lord … Continue reading Mist and Shadows
In just a few days, I will have completed my 70th revolution around the sun. In these times when humans are routinely reaching into their 80's and 90's, it may seem like a fairly routine accomplishment, but in so many ways, in my case, it's almost a miracle that I am still here to mark … Continue reading On The Brink Of Seventy
I came across this quote a while ago, and at first felt as though Epicurus was simply trying to encourage people of all ages to be open to acquiring wisdom, regardless of their age. Thinking about it at length, though, I wondered if his phrasing was sufficiently clear. The idea of “seeking wisdom,” while noble … Continue reading The Wisdom of Seeking
“To stand at the edge of the sea, to sense the ebb and flow of the tides, to feel the breath of a mist moving over a great salt marsh, to watch the flight of shore birds...is to have knowledge of things that are as nearly eternal as any earthly life can be.” --Rachel Carson … Continue reading Consciousness Video Series: Episode 9: Journey Into Nature
When the opportunity presents itself to venture out into the natural world for a camping trip, performing my traditional morning rituals in the woods is like meeting with old friends in a forest. The simple pleasures of preparing the first meal of the day beside the trees and in the cool early morning air are … Continue reading Our Connection with the Natural World
The title of the song in the background of the video below is “Beyond This Moment,” by Patrick O’Hearn. I’ve mentioned his work before and heard it on the radio on the way home one evening, and it stuck with me. The title started me to thinking about how we might discover what lies “beyond … Continue reading Consciousness Video Series: Episode 8: Beyond This Moment
Last summer, in August of 2022, I posted episode six of my “Consciousness Video Series: Metaphor and the Inner Experience.” https://johns-consciousness.com/2022/08/27/consciousness-video-series-episode-6-metaphor-and-the-inner-experience/ This video described metaphorically my immediate impressions, as I struggled to express, understand, and relate my very personal interpretation of a profound sense of recognition of my inner life, which invariably suggested the elements … Continue reading The Path Beneath the Terrace
The Destroying Angel and Daemon of Evil...William Etty 1832 All my life, from the very first memories I seem to have, I believed in angels, and miracles, and saints. I also was eventually taught to believe in their opposites—devils, tragedies, and heretics. This was a strange mix for a young boy at the “age of … Continue reading Angels of Hope
"Driftwood," by Winslow Homer (1836-1910) “I can reach a state where I seem to be watching things happen as if I were there. That is, I suppose, that my memory supplies what I had forgotten, so that it seems as if it were happening independently, though I am really making it happen. In certain favorable … Continue reading Blog Post #400 – Moments of Being
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