The Progression of Pondering #2

The rational and symbolic "third-eye" is not a mechanism through which we communicate with external realms but a mechanism through which we delve into the infinity of the internal. Consciousness, rather than a sensory sensation is the sensory sensation of sensory sensation; consciousness is not feeling happy but the feeling of feeling happy. It's the inexplicable and intangible phenomenon in which the subject is a subject of their own mind.

Controlling, and perhaps quelling impulse, is a component of cerebral-consciousness, it's the ability to detect impulses and then decide to enact that impulse or quell it. Gaining control over impulse is permitted through symbolic competency, for myself, that is actualized through linguistic symbols, but symbols have many forms. Additionally, some achieve cerebral-control through consistent meditative states or psychedelic experiences. I liken consciousness to observing the observer.

We, at least some of us, can observe the observer, but there's an intimate relationship between the two, they aren't mutually exclusive. They rely on one another to maintain optimal performance. I envision them as being connected by a hormonal and perceptual tether. The awareness of sadness doesn't reduce the sadness, it needs to be expressed. That's where the observer of the observer can contribute; the observer feels the sadness, the observers observer perceives and directs that sadness.

Compartmentalizing the mind is a tremendously empowering tool. Assigning impulses to their respective compartments is a way through which the rational "third-eye" can manage the impulses, choosing to enact some and dismiss others. There seems to exist three different yet universal compartments: mind, body, and spirit. Spirit merely serving as a linguistic symbol for that intangible essence; the observer of the observer. The mind is the compartment responsible for generating fear in response to danger. The body is responsible for our urge to copulate and exercise. The spirit has the objective seat of observation; the spirit operates in our best interest, although it can be suppressed by allowing the other two influences to gain dominion.

Fear isn't a necessary response to danger, so our spirit would tell us. Fear is a fabrication of the internal but danger is a very present puzzle of the external, that's undeniable. Danger doesn't demand fear but fear will certainly impel you to respond; fear will elevate your heart rate, release adrenaline and prepare all the mechanisms of the inner-animal to respond, but that isn't necessary in most circumstances. For example, fear of future events, fear that something may happen to you if you embark on a risky endeavour, fear that you might get rejected by the girl you want to talk to, whatever your fear may be. Fear is not a necessary response to many dangers, in fact, fear is a hindrance. Think of all the times you may have seen someone who you wished you had said hi to and now you'll likely never see them again.

Imagine danger as an obstacle with many routes, fear is our immediate-route because it can instantaneously impel a response; rumination is futile when you're immediately presented with a predatory threat. But, as I've said, it's not necessary. It's an animal-mechanism developed over billions of years; but our spirit knows better. The best cage-fighters aren't the ones fueled by fear or adrenaline, but the ones who maintain an inimitable composure, the ones who harness fear not become harnessed.

The material-pursuit, the pursuit of monetary success, is a mirage of the mind. The monetary pursuit certainly breeds or impels a certain form of excellence, but that excellence is often devious and conniving. Business, although it doesn’t necessarily need to be, is a realm of deception, where the cruel manipulation of a population’s ignorance is rewarded. This is particularly prevalent in the food industry. To become irreversibly infatuated with the monetary pursuit, when done unethically, is a behavioral symptom of little-spirit and large-mind, two of the three mutual qualities of a human. It’s an imbalance, an imbalance of character. The observing observer doesn’t care for profits or rewards; only insight, experience, ingenuity, kindness and sharing, because these traits propel a prosperous outcome for everybody.

Meditation is a harnessing of the spirit to conquer the mind-body impulses. Not so that you may become immune to their grasp or spell but so that you may harness it for growth and improvement, so that you may harness it to your benefit rather than allowing it to harness you for its benefit. Meditation comes in myriad forms, it’s not just silence and humming while sitting cross-legged; meditation can be achieved through any activity that requires the best of you. Endurance running has helped me achieve meditative states because your mind is unremittingly bombarding you with the urge to stop but your spirit denies the request. That, and writing, have been the most effective and enlightening forms of meditation for myself and many others.

The spirit is merely a linguistic symbol to depict the intangible essence that is capable of perception despite having no external sensory stimuli. The mind and body are capable of responding to external stimuli in the absence of cognizant consideration; like I said, when you’re faced with an immediate predatory threat rumination is futile. That particular stimuli relies on an immediate and instantaneous response, but the mechanism responsible for responding to that stimuli is inherent in all animals, including ourselves. That mechanism, even with the advent of modern-civilization rendering it nearly obsolete, is still present and still influences our behavior. Our linguistic symbols allow us to investigate our instinct and question it. Spirit is a symbol itself that encapsulates the notion that consciousness is not a product of stimuli-response but the response to stimuli-response.