Deep Thoughts

Tim & Hugh have had some interesting bits on here lately that get to the heart of the deeper questions like, what really is the self, or consciousness, or this thing we call the 'soul'?

The notion that we can't perceive our own existence while sleeping (except during dream states) further raises the issue - we treat consciousness, self-awareness as a 'thing' and give it a name, the 'soul' -- but rather is it really more of an 'event' than a 'thing'?

Identification as an individual distinct from others comes from having an individual body, and having a unique point of view in space, and a unique set of experiences to draw from. Perhaps the 'self' is like a wave on the ocean - it's clearly there, but you can't grasp it and put it in a box - it exists more conceptually, as a reflection of other things. And the water and the ocean continue to be there through and through.

I would then think when you get to concepts like infinite existence, without a body, there would needs be a convergence of awareness and experience, a disappearance of the familiar demarcations that separate the notion of 'I' from 'you'. The notion and awareness of the 'self' would slowly lose its usefulness, I would think.

Paul