The Heavy Stuff

Hello, welcome back to The Heavy Stuff (THS) - thanks for returning or for hitting the link on another website. If you are a returning reader - you may be familiar with my posts about what I call the Phillips Phenomenology - if not - and if you have some free time - here’s my internal link to that material http://theheavystuff.com/?cat=5. And, as I’ve referred to before in these posts - the Phenomenology came to me in `altered states’ in the 1970’s - almost as a ghost writing - as I had never even read any Phenomenology. Later, when I came across Edmund Husserl, I realized that I was writing about were very similar ideas and thoughts. And, as you may know, thoughts about Phenomenology - can be taken to almost any extreme - as is shown by Sartre’s book - Being and Nothingness (to me, the Heaviest book ever written).

But, today, I’d like to keep it all a little more basic and examine instead one of the underlying `ideas’ about `esoteric’ or altered states in general - and - that is the `idea’ that somehow - we - humans - are connected not only to each other (as of course we are thru our DNA) - but - are indeed - connected to the world and indeed the universe in a manner that can be interpreted by our consciousness as almost mystical. Some call it `oneness’ that they experience in these `higher’ states.

And, when the `altered qualitative state’ may be achived or experienced by humans - the best description - in general - is a `feeling’ or actualizing of `oneness’. It is the goal of many `states’ — from meditating states, certain drug states, to states of religious frenzy. And, those that experience `the special states’ often say it is one of the highlight experiences of their lives - often changing their very perceptions about `things’ - and especially about `connectiveness’.

So, what is `this oneness’ `state’ - that is so `connecting’ to so many `altered views of reality’ from the `common consensus’?

Well, what I’m about to suggest - isn’t as esoteric as you may think (or hope)  - as to the `connection’ - the reason - at the very base and basis of Phenomenology - for `all things’ being - connected. And, even better, largely it is `supported’ at least in my opinion - by what is known about Physics (in the broad laymen terms I will use). Are you ready to put on your thinking caps - and - ready for a thought exercise?

Ok, here we go. First, lets think about you and me. Humans. Existing in the `here and now’ - so we are `told’. And, in the macro sense - the most basic form of perception - that is exactly where we are. Here and Now.

BUT, you need to think deeper about this `reality’ you `see’. Because, obviously, what we `see’ is a `light reflection’ off of a surface (like off the surface of the things around you) - that is bounced (meaning taking TIME to reach you)  - to your retina and then interpreted by your brain. My whole point in this finite description is to emphasize that the outside reality of `here and now’ is NOT really - NOW. Let that sink in.

NO, that (what is seen by you) is `what was’ — `what they were’ (those other objects) - fractions of a second IN THE PAST. Yes, it (our visual reality) is from the PAST but IS part of YOUR OWN NOW. ONLY YOU HAVE A `CURRENT NOW’ as part of the reality you `see’ or experience.

Are you still with me?

That is why `the now’ can’t be changed, as it is already - except for your now intentions - `the past’. Let that sink in.

But, don’t feel so lonely as it appears that `Determinism’ might be more probable than `freewill’ - as you may be overthinking it. (You can find more about my thoughts about the freewill and determinism issue in the above link too.) Because, now, I’m about to take you down onto another look at our reality as humans - as - entities - things - in the universe.

Because, as you know, - if you `slowed’ us — humans - down — and looked - at `what we are actually made of’ - we find that - indeed, we are made up of electrons (and all that stuff - I’m gonna keep this simple) and that the atoms are further `made-up’ by other `smaller’ particles. And so on and so on.

But, what our science also knows is that these small components of `all things’ — all mass — all SPACES  (all humans) — ————– ALL of that — has `zillions’ of more `space’ between the particles than the size of the `particles’ themselves. It’s almost as if we are ghosts or `images of a space-mass’ - than a real thing like we `know’ we are in actuality.

For, in fact, `we’ - `any object’ - AT OUR VERY BASIS - are a `space’ - equal to ALL OTHER SPACES (made of the same material too) - all other things - a - connectedness - a `oneness’. The oneness is that we are all `space’ - with a simultaneous `experience of each other’ (remember, it takes our space of reflective now the same amount of `time’ to travel to the other space) — that said, only WE have OUR (real) NOW (that includes intentions too).

I’ve often had the thought and challenged others to tell me how my human `atoms’ are `more aware’ than the `atoms’ of a rock. What/Which atoms are conscious? `Where is the consciousness?’

So, while I feel that Oneness - as spoken about in the great perceptual experiences available to a human - is real - I think `the oneness’ basis is that we are all `SPACES with simultaneous nows’. This is EVEN TRUE as in our relationship with `things’ that are not close - even things in other parts of the universe. WE simultaneously `bounce’ off the rest of all spaces - every moment of counted time. (Or, as I like to say, and Husserl - our `running off’.)

But, there is another level too - much more related to human consciousness that seems to be able to `produce’ this `effect’ of Oneness. And, finally, I have to introduce you to the Phillips Phenomenology to talk about that `esoteric oneness feeling’.

First, almost 100% of our consciousness at ANY given moment will be part of what I call the `Not Able To Not Be’ - which IS the `reality we see’. Indeed, give it some thought — all that we `see’ (which is already the past) HAS TO BE — it has already occurred at it’s `space source’. Remember, everything we see - `takes time’ to reach our eyes and be assimilated into a reality picture.

 We, as humans, are VERY INVOLVED in the `Not Able To Not Be’ — in the `what has to be’ - indeed, it’s OUR REALITY - the determined Not Able To Not Be. Or, the HAS to be of our reality.

It is at this common, lowest, level that human consciousness `feeds’ its brain - its SPACE with data from. What we commonly perceive as the `flow of reality’. And, this `flow’ allows for `little reflection’ upon one’s own space - the only REAL `now’ of the `seen’ Not Able To Not Be.

Indeed, in the Phillips Phenomenology - consciousness can focus on different `levels’ of beingness. The lowest and common one - the Not Able To Not be - or - the next levels. (We spend 99% of our time focused on the Not Able To Not Be because our life and reality seems dependent on it. For example, if we weren’t - we’d crash our car, walk into a wall, etc.)

The next consciousness level `up’ is what I call the `Able-To-Not-Be’ — which ONLY is part of OUR now. Indeed, the `Able-To-Not-Be’ is exactly what the words suggest — it is `our part’ of `our consciousness’ that is ABLE TO NOT BE — the NOT ABLE TO NOT BE of our common reality. It is our `separateness’ - the thing that lets us -step back and be aware (of all the other spaces). A reflective state. A higher state. It is what makes us more than a computer (as we know them normally) or robot.

Those who meditate, go INTO, our (their)  own Able To Not Be - to meditate (the same with drugs or religious mystical states). Indeed, `when’ `there’, one can recognize that immediately it is a different state - it IS indeed, a higher level - a higher state. Indeed, it is the state that CAN access - true higher consciousness - `where’ the `oneness’ state IS.

BUT, in and of itself - it is NOT the oneness state. The ecstasy oneness state described in the literature you may be familiar with via reading esoteric materials. But, it IS close in a sense and IS the way one would reach the oneness state. Let that sink in.

So, `where’ or `what’ is the Oneness state?

The Phillips Phenomenology would suggest that `just beyond’ the consciousness state of Able To Not Be — is the NOT ABLE TO BE. And, yes, THAT is what the `oneness’ state IS. Indeed, it is the state that CAN occur if one abandons (or goes beyond) the already higher Able To Not Be state. It is where ones consciousness literally goes BEYOND the Able To Not Be - and that state - is rarely experienced directly.

Best described - it would be consciousness - CLIMBING up to BE - the NOT ABLE TO BE. The `realization’, if you will, of `the connection’ of EVERYTHING. The `connected’ SPACES we (and all things which are spaces) all have - within - OUR OWN `NOW’. The SPACE where we are real and have intentions.

Finally, the irony of `Oneness’ is that it relates to `the fact’ of our `determinism’ - the fact that OUR SPACE - the singular space that we all have - `occurs ONLY ONCE’ - is counted - and is actually NOT ABLE TO BE. A realization of the despair that confronts `us’ as a Space.

And that, connects us to the Oneness of the very Universe we live within.

My Phenomenology Poem (1976)

Time Watching The Play/Of Which Words Have No Say/What Is Not Able To Not Be-IS/ And, Is With Time - Watching, Ever Watching.

Finally, if you are `into’ the above Phenomenology - I’ve written much more at http://whatisnotabletonotbeis.blogspot.com and daily I put `anomaly’ type links at http://www.squidoo.com/AnomalyMan - thanks for checking them out and for your bookmarking my site today.

The Heavy Stuff (THS) wants to welcome back the readers of part 1 of this post — stats show that over 3,000 unique visitors have read that posting - (thanks to about.com, dailygrail.com, crystalinks.com and anomalist.com and others) and, due to the subject matter, it would be advisible to do so before continuing with this post if you haven’t had the chance. Here’s that link http://theheavystuff.com/?p=56.

Of course, that `subject matter’ is the 1970’s college dorm late night favorite subject  of `what is reality’? Yes, younger readers,  before the Matrix - the very structure of reality was something the `college heads’ thought discussion worthy. Perhaps is was those higher times that allowed a clearer seeing of the thin vail of reality - the illusion refered to by the mystics and shaman of yester ages and days gone by.

And, in part one - THS - covered the `normal’ Matrixlike idea that `we’ (yes, you and I) and everything else — was simply the result of a running software program made by at least one civilization. In essence, an artifical being within an artificial reality.

In the first post, it was perhaps the logic of the `low threshold’ that was the most worrisome aspect of IF we are a simulation. Afterall, if only ONE civilization EVER ——— EVER — produced and ran (these are most important words)  a `reality simulation software - in which ‘the spaces within the program could have self-awareness‘ ————– THEN — the `real odds’ of us (you and me) being real - in the manner WE think of real —– may be quite small. And, that the odds we ARE a simulation — quite large. Indeed, in part one - THS threw out some numbers to just form an opinion as to what the odds might actually be - or - to set you thinking about the hard numbers of the situation.

BUT, a closer look might dramatically INCREASE those odds  - that is - increase the odds that  we are real. (Isn’t that nice?)

After all,  being realistic, `how many’ computer simulations are `left on’ to run their course ———— for 13.7 billion years? (Makes THS wonder what the longest running simulation software is with mankind?) And, the need to upkeep a program in the running state by any sustained entity for those 13.7 billion years? Can any entity exist with such a purpose? Or, even having the interest to see what a computer program would produce after 13.7 billion years?

[Now, obviously, a huge caveot, what we think of as`time’ may literally be an illusion that our scientists can’t quantify in a meaningful way as part of the very software - so deception is possible to the self aware spaces like you and everyone else.]

When one thinks of this needed structure  to run a program for 13 billion years in THAT MANNER — the odds certainly seem to swing IN OUR FAVOR  (that we are real in the manner we like to think of ourselves as being, (or are we?)) — at least to THS. INDEED, THS boldly predicts that ————- the ratio of advanced software programs - that simulate a reality –  and, that are left `on’ for over 13 billion years ————is indeed —- LESS than the number of civilizations with self-aware entities. This fact bringing our odds at being real to better than 50/50 in all probability.

Isn’t is nice to think of the odds, our odds, in this more realistic way? Using thought logic alone to verify facts that indicate that  we probably ARE real? Indeed, do you want one more twist to help that logic?

How about the fact that for us to view our reality as 13.7 billion years old — the entities that would have to have made the software - would have had to been of and from 2nd generation stars to probably have advanced life?  Second generation stars were billions of years after the big bang.

Therefore, they, the software makers, would have had to have been here before 13.7 billion years to have US (you and I) `running as software’ that long — and since NO intelligent life would be setting up software prior to the big bang ———– we MUST be real. As we like to think of real.

Somehow, THS is not surprised. LOL.

So, that leaves us with the other choice - a Reality that must be Simulated. Simulated Instantaneously. Simulated instantaneously continuously via some actualization process. The science of today says it is actualized thru quantum mechanics. (Some like to think in a holographic manner with this question.) Frankly, the idea that reality is simulated, continuously,  is just as daunting and amazing.

BUT, is the actualization of reality really more a `process of phenomenology’ - than -  of physical matter going from future to present to past? Isn’t reality, really, more a `description of spaces’ than anything else? A description of matter.

Get ready to put on your thinking caps.

Could the very three IDEAS/descriptions  of `spaces’ — `real’ — and, `consciousness’ - be as involved in `producing a real’ for a person (or any conscious space) – as physics - or, at least, about equally so?

For example.

What if the `space’ for an individual, literally each space - `had two places or phases’ — one phase/place being ———- NOW (the physical matter, atoms, of a space) ——- and another phase/place of the same space has/being a PAST ( THIS is what is `shown’ (into reality) as light plays off the `body’ of the space - this space has no matter and is only a representation) too.

`Other’ persons — never see our NOW and we never see theirs. We see only their `immediate past’, literally, a ` visual representation’ of their now and the next `phase’ of their space.

What we SEE is the - reality Simulated - INTO one space. AS one space.

All those spaces (this includes books, people, planes, etc) `still have’ their  `embedded’ physical characteristics. The atoms still have spin, the person is moving from place A to B - and they both exist on a macrolevel too where they are part of a planetary system moving thru the universe at a small fraction of the speed of light.

But, it all is Simulated — within an instant - and with other spaces visual representations, as being a `real’ determined `moment of space/time’. The literal light (or time) interpretation of our space location - as shown to `others’.

Note the nebulousness and movement of the `real thread’ in all this phenomenology of one’s space.

First, your space - any location of space - is the first location of `real’. Your space, your atoms and all that your matter brings with it in regards to qualities of physics — still has for that angstrom Planck of time — an overriding characteristic. That overriding characteristic IS those very qualities of physics - in relation to all other spaces- MAKING (actualizing) that very infinite sliver of reality, for you, becoming, - NOT ABLE TO BE.  Not able to be anywhere, or anywhen, else. Except at that actualized duration of virtual particles.

Not able to be ——– becomes —— makes —- (actualizes) - that spaces now. The only `space’ for that space. The most perfect description of that space. (This is referred to by Juilian Barbour as the best matching space to the previous one with the least intrinsic difference.) That space and its relationships are counted-experienced-lived-actualized. That space only exists within the `physical matter’ that one instant. The very limitation of `time’ to bring it - the space - to literally `being’ a  4 dimensional object. During actualization. During the `first phase’ of that space — where the `real’ is centered.

The very `thing’ which brought about the `counting’ `actualization’ - light - IS located - in a sense — at the `back’ of that space; as IT `fades into’ THE PAST. —- BUT, this ` outside light’ - bringing with it the simultaneously `showings’ of all equally `spaced’ `spaces-objects’ riding the light wave. In a nutshell, bringing our visual reality into our potential for consciousness to interpret our visuals. (Other objects.)

Time for those thinking caps again.

ALL those representations, including our own space representation, — when in display, have a new overriding characteristic —- all those representations are ABLE TO NOT BE.  (Separate from our original space as it has now been struck by and become light.)

Yes, `the real’ transfers in a sense out to our outside reality - from our body. Our space transfers our real into this `common space’ of now - via the light reflection on our matter.

Obviously, our matter is NOT included in our `image’ of our space to others. The `space’ which represents identically that original space - is the space of ABLE TO NOT BE.  (Many many folks want to say that this is time — time —- not realizing that `time’ is a particular `space’ counted once.)

As you can see — we already seem to have `two reals’ — our real space (matter) and our identical representation of that same space in it’s next phase of ontology.

So, our Now, (yes, your now too) has a `foothold’ in two `reals’ - all within one space. Our own space. Our own phenomenology of our space/matter.

But, what is even more impressive — is that those collective spaces — all of the spaces we see within our reality — go on to form ` that space’ — the one that is literally = to our collective ABLE TO NOT BE’s.

The space we commonly think of as our reality.

That - is `the space’ - the counting - the collective actualization of our `determined reality’ that we all experience. Our collective NOT ABLE TO NOT BE. The collective spaces we all brought as spaces to that one `moment-space duration’.

Collectively, all spaces transfer their real characteristics to the `final’ collective real space - for counting. Placement. Realness. A third place where real can be said to be contained.

Time watching the play

of which words

have no say.

What is not able to not be

IS

And, is, with time, watching, ever watching.

R. Phillips - 1970’s

The dichotomy is that the final `resting’ of real - and one with a direct connection to our space which has real freedom - is within our real determined reality where everyTHING has to BE —- not able to not be.

After all, if the present could be changed, would it be real? Could it be lived without determination?

For more on THS’s phenomenology - visit - www.whatisnotabletonotbeis.blogspot.com. Thanks for visiting - please visit our blogroll and information links to show your support. THS welcomes comments.