From: hampday@earthlink.net
Date: Thu Nov 11 2004 - 05:33:46 GMT
Ham to David
Sent Thursday, Nov. 11, 2004, 12:30 AM
Hi, David --
You asked:
>
> How can we become aware of transcendence if not through experience?
>
That's a fair question. Eastern philosophers claim to achieve a state of
"enlightenment" (satori) through meditation practices that are alleged to
pacify the ego or self, causing the soul to merge with its undifferentiated
source (Oneness). This may be considered a kind of "out of body" experience
that is purely sensual in nature. While most of us have had "moments of
clarity" or experiences that transcend the normal (i.e., existential)
perspective, such sensations probably lack the vividness of the Zen master's
satori. Nor do I see the value of devoting one's entire life to the quest
for Nirvana.
Because my own philosophy supports the logic behind this mystic practice, I
believe some degree of transcendence is possible in the realm of experience.
The "white light" phenomenon reported by those who have had a near death
experience may be transcendent in nature, although I tend to discount claims
of paranormal experiences involving time travel, occult spiritualism, former
incarnations, ET highjackings, and the like.
I generally use the term transcendence with reference to the primary Source
rather than to human beings. Since I believe that Essence is the "uncreated
source" of man and his existence, Essence must logically transcend
existence. But if your question is specifically "how do I" become aware of
transcendence, I would have to answer that it comes from intuitiion, just as
Pirsig's Quality is an intuitive concept.
Before posting this reply, I'd like to add a note of clarity to what may be
troubling some of you on this subject.
Belief in transcendence -- as it applies to either man or a supernatural
entity -- does not necessarily make one religious. I think there is little,
if any, difference between a "valuistic" philosophy and a "spiritualistic"
belief system, neither of which need be theistic in concept. As far as I am
concerned, Pirsig's MOQ is such a belief system. I'll be interested in
seeing if others wish to challenge that statement.
Essentially yours,
Ham
>
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