Interesting discussion on consciousness in R/T

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

that got started from this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=103&topic_id=342792&mesg_id=342848

I contend that we have consciousness, and that other organisms may too, as well as other things--this chap says it is "too vague". I'd be interested in your thoughts about consciousness.

[Fire Walk With Me]

1. "The closest concept I have found so far in my journey is to say that God is everything and more."

I think that you've summed it up quite well.

"Where is God?" asks the student.
"All around you, everywhere." says the master, gesturing around him.

Or, "You're soaking in it", if you remember advertising from a few decades ago :)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Oh yeah!

You know, some people say rocks don't breathe. But in the sweatlodge, you can hear them breathe - and sing. Anyone who has walked in the woods with an open heart has felt the gentle consciousness of trees as well. And the poet Khabir said it best when he said, "The fish in the water laughs when one asks if it is thirsty."

[conscious evolution]

8. If it doesn't breathe

it has a heartbeat.
One or the other.

Thats what I hear anyway.

[BanzaiBonnie]

3. Plants speak to some of us

Sometimes rocks and stars do too.

And I almost always hear and understand what my dog companion is saying.

[Why Syzygy]

4. Did you mean

in the Editorial forum? Or is there another in R/T also?

Nice thread.

I don't conceive so much that the Universe Has Consciousness as it Is Consciousness.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

7. Yes, you're right

it was an Editorial. Sorry about that. And yes, I think That Is Consciousness, too--but it was hard enough to get the concept of consciousness through, so I didn't want to try the other.

[Silver Gaia]

5. That is an interesting thread. Something you said there:

"What about studies that seem to indicate that other species, such as dolphins, have language? Does that imply consciousness?"

reminded me of an article in this month's National Geographic I've been meaning to share. This article supports the statement implied by your above questions, so thought you might be interested, ayesha. There is much information here to support such an argument. ;)

Humans most definitely are not the only beings who possess consciousness. Consciousness permeates all that exists, IMO.

Anyhow... thought some here might enjoy this article that focuses on our furred, feathered, finned and scaled brothers and sisters, so I started a thread for it here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=245x65315

[Why Syzygy]

6. Very nice article!

This might be an interesting addition to the earlier conversation :shrug:

[Silver Gaia]

9. Glad you liked it. Feel free to re-post it on the other thread if you like.

I've got the flu right now, and it's all I can do just to post this here. I don't think I could keep up with that conversation right now. ;)

[Celebration]

10. Get well soon, Joolz

:grouphug:
:grouphug:

[Silver Gaia]

12. Thanks for the hugs and the well-wishes...

I'm going to the doc in the morning. This started out as the flu, but I think I've developed something else on top of that--maybe a kidney infection. I hate going to the doc (much prefer herbs and other stuff), but in this case, I figure I need to at least know what I'm dealing with. It's all stress-related, I'm sure, too. Ack, just can't seem to get away from stress these days. It's all around us.

[Why Syzygy]

13. I rarely have the energy

to get involved. But I might try it later.

I hope you feel better. I read down thread about your stress.
I continue to recommend this book >
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=245&topic_id=58316

In that post I describe a relaxation technique she teaches that really helps me. I'm not very disciplined with meditation time, but this is quick and can be done any time. There's a chapter on insomnia, which applies very much in my case. It has honestly helped me in ways nothing else ever has. It is almost as simple as a decision to flip my interior atmosphere. But then it isn't really *my* atmosphere after that. I can make connection with Spirit in my car on the way to work (for example). And it sticks.

You can read the first chapter here >

http://www.ebooks.com/ebooks/book_display.asp?IID=222542

Be careful with the flu. Glad you are checking with your doctor. Boost your immune system! :hug:

[Silver Gaia]

14. Thanks for the book recommendation. I'll check this out.

I could use some techniques to help with insomnia, too. (Seems to go with the territory of menopause, unfortunately.)

My doc said I just have the flu. She thinks the back pain I was feeling is from an old injury that's been exacerbated by lying in bed so much this week, and doesn't have anything to do with my kidneys.

So... more fluids, rest, keep taking echinacea, vitamin C, etc. etc. I actually feel a little better today. :)

[Why Syzygy]

15. I'm at the point where I'm ready to start

the Lemonade Master CLeanse detox program. I'm overweight and crave sweets. I know the eating plan that has really increased energy and dropped weight worked ... 10 years ago. I'm thinking it might needs a couple of tweeks, I've been working on. This is going to help my quit smoking plans, drop weight and toxins.

Yeah .. get menthol or eucalyptus oil and lightly steam your nostrils. You can even add a few drops of the oils into a bathing tub. I like to do that with euc when my head is stuffy. I'm going to see about getting a netti pot this weekend. Do you have one of those? I have lemons, maple syrup, cayenne pepper (in caps), fresh water. Bought a lemon juicer tonight. I'm going to start that within the next few days. My body is begging me, PLEASE .

I'm glad you're feeling some better. It could be that you'll have some ups and downs. It's all just part of the passing through stage.

I think the flu could be aggravating your old back injury too. Viral agents zoom right in for any weakened situation. Maybe spend time focusing on the strength of the injured part and how far it has come. I know you embrace a holistic manner in many ways. Do I have that right? It is sometimes my favorite topic of conversation. How people blend. ... soz . I just watched three hours of NPR Craft Art special program. That show can really give one the holographic experience which the artists live in and look at and produce more. There's a lovely rhythm to the process and all the pieces fit, not just those that have a physical part to play. All do, the conception, the respect the artisan has for her natural materials. I guess I was still in that daze when I came here to talk about . well another part of that whole scene for me, and that is my health. Time to step into the music that's playing, and get'er'done.

I'm tired so I'm not sure any of that made any sense.

[Celebration]

11. Good job

I think I will pass on saying anything there.

To me, everything has an energy field around it--and I mean everything. That may or may not be "consciousness."

Probably one could call me a pseudoscientist more easily than a mystic.

Some of the seemingly small stories from my childhood that have stuck in my mind have to do with things other than humans having consciousness. I had a fabulous fourth grade teacher that read to us every day after lunch. I bless that woman because I actually learned to read fairly well because of her. Before that it was all about math for me.

She read us the Hans Christian Anderson tale about the Christmas tree, which was morbid and sad, but taught a great lesson, and it ascribed a certain consciousness to a pine tree.

Another thing I remember is that my parents once out of nowhere just decided to buy some concrete ducks to go under the tree in the backyard. We had stopped at one of those places on the side of the road.
So, my grandmother decides to tell me that they could come alive if I fed them every day. She never said, "would"--she said "could." That, to me, was a lesson both in consciousness of things other than humans, and also miracles.

My mother was the most no nonsense person ever, but, being half Irish, she told me tales of fairies in the woods.

I am so grateful I wasn't born to a family of secular humanists!! All those things meant more to me than the Episcopalian Sunday School thing that was also going on.