Sunday, June 18, 2017

Myers, Maya, and the Cosmic Mind

Dear Joy,

I'm happy that you are working at so many different arenas and continue to think in lofty realms. Hope, you are able to access higher and higher zones of inspiration in the years to come.

As far as I am concerned, I feel that The Mother and Sri Aurobindo have not permitted us to rely upon on any set of technicalities beyond their own formulation and terminologies. Hence, professional knowledge shouldn't interfere in our aspirational trajectory.

Since all domains are dealing with partial knowledge and nothing can be proved decisively, I will prefer not to believe in what you write. This caveat notwithstanding, you are free to develop on the seeds of ideas you juggle with. Once again, I convey my encouragements for the same.

Tusar
June 16, 2017
...

Dear Jo,

Today, I read some pages from your book via Google Books and found it quite interesting. The fact that you have been able to formulate such a framework independent of existing theories is certainly impressive. Resonance with Chomsky's thesis seemed fascinating to me.

Although the book is the result of your immense learning, I assume that you are not familiar with Sri Aurobindian Ontology. So, once again, I request you to check the following link just for your information sake.

http://ericweiss.com/an-introduction-to-sri-aurobindos-metaphysical-cosmology

Let their be no vacuum space in your lifelong quest for knowledge.

Thanks and all the best,
Tusar (b.1955)
June 16, 2017
Tusar Nath Mohapatra
https://selforum.blogspot.in/2017/06/pigs-piano-and-bamboo-poles.html
...
Posted by at  
...

Instead of Wittgenstein, here is an excerpt from an analysis of Whitehead, his contemporary:

[One of Whitehead’s projects is the rehabilitation of all Forms, or “eternal objects” – both qualitative and quantitative... This growth towards definiteness is governed by both logical and aesthetic criteria, and it strives towards the maximization of value in itself and in its relevant future.]

The whole paper can be read at:
...

 Posted by at  
...

To "Sadhu-Sanga Under the holy association of Spd. B.M. Puri Maharaja, Ph.D." group.

1) Knowledge acquisition presupposes curiosity, humility, and methodological integrity.
2) Position and prestige shouldn't stand in the way of clear thinking and perceiving.
3) Science and Mathematics need not elbow out alternative means of understanding life and the world.
4) Geographical divide of knowledge systems need to be bridged and integrated through increased dialogue.
5) Ignoring robust contributions of the past debilitates present discourse and hence suggestions should be examined with alacrity.
6) Narcissism, oneupmanship, or arrogance have no place in the realm of quest for truth and even long titles can be a hindrance.
7) Avoiding verbosity, hijacking of discussion, and displaying pedantry is essential for focussed examination of issues for finding solution.
8) Expressing lack of competence in areas under discussion should be a norm instead of offering impressionistic responses.

A fine link is at:


Thanks and all the best.
Tusar
June 14, 2017
Tusar Nath Mohapatra
...
Posted by at  
...

Dear Chris,

Unlike Bruno, Leibniz, or Schelling, before him, Sri Aurobindo responds to Darwin, Freud, and Einstein to stress that Science alone is not capable of understanding Consciousness. Without reading Sri Aurobindo's work, impressionistic statements don't help the ongoing discussions in this forum as everyone is afflicted with some defective ontology. Refuting Sri Aurobindo's framework can be a good starting point of scientific inquiry.

Thanks, 
Tusar (b.1955)
...
Posted by at 
...

Dear Jim,

As far as I can sense, you have not read Sri Aurobindo's books. Your present worldview may seem flawless but many new vistas will open up if you go through The Life Divine and Savitri. There is no dearth of secondary literature also. Hope, you do yourself a favour by reading Sri Aurobindo. They are available online at:


Wishing you all the best,

Tusar (b.1955)
June 13, 2017
...

Cosmic Mind is ordinarily understood as containing the secret of the whole Creation but in Sri Aurobindo's interpretation, it lies somewhere in between in the ladder of Consciousness representing the whole Existence. He redefines the ill-understood concept of Maya and fuses it with Myers' Subliminal and Vedic Hiranyagarbha to conceive an ever-emergent Supermind which is only an intermediary rung in the march of Evolution.

It's hoped that physicists here make some effort to know Sri Aurobindo's ontological formulations.

Thanks

Tusar (b.1955)
June 13, 2017

https://selforum.blogspot.in/2017/06/sri-aurobindo-does-not-mention-myers-as.html
...

Dear Jo,

I find that you generally keep yourself confined to the Western tradition but Sri Aurobindo has accomplished some wonderful syntheses in the realm of Ontology. You are thorough on Leibniz but I am sure if you read Sri Aurobindo you can find much clearer ways of looking at things and contradictions posed by science at present.

Hope, you read The Life Divine available at:


Thanks,

Tusar (b.1955)
June 13, 2017
Posted by at 
...

Dear Bruno,

Thanks for your considered reply. It appears that what I am asking for coincides with C.P. Snow's Two Cultures dichotomy. So, it's actually a question of competence and because of my modest education, average intelligence, and limited memory, I perhaps prefer to rely wholly upon Sri Aurobindo's theory instead of searching for truth all by myself.

That said, I will certainly not deprive myself of all the benefits that science and technology brings in course of time.

Wishing you all the best and success in your professional field,

Tusar (b.1955)
June 7, 2017
...

Dear Jim,

I can't understand what you have tried to communicate here. I'm familiar with Sri Aurobindo's philosophy and his terminologies. Beyond that it's all confusing for me. However, I would like to send out an appeal to all through you, as follows:

Dear members of Sadhu-Sanga,
Namaskar.

This forum has seen some intense debates over the nature of reality and dynamics of consciousness. The topic has been approached from the perspective of different streams of science as well as philosophy. Very advanced knowledge from each field has been marshalled by respective specialists to unlock the mystery. But mostly it has been agreed that we are much far away from any semblance of a solution. This should mean as a very sobering sentiment in the face of human finitude.

Although, Freud is generally credited with introducing a nebulous notion like subconscious into Science, Sri Aurobindo can be said to have offered the most detailed account of consciousness in the realm of speculative philosophy. His framework encompasses elements from diverse schools of theology, theosophy, philosophy, and science. Such a synthesis and integral scheme is unprecedented and has not been surpassed as yet.

I quite understand that such hyperbole would shock many of you as this forum has many staunch devotees of other philosophers and scientists. But, I would request you to examine my assertion with utmost scientific or logical rigour. I know, it's not possible since most of you are hard pressed for time; others lack inclination. So, what's the solution? An expert of Domain A can't give a dependable opinion unless he is reasonably aware of Domains B, C, D, Etc.

So, there are no shortcuts and my request to all of you is to invest some time on The Life Divine by Sri Aurobindo. While delineating the whole spectrum of consciousness, he is also emphatic that it's definitely knowable despite our human finitude. Further, his method of Integral Yoga unveils a volitional course of self-enlargement which, he insists, is the only means of fathoming the mystery of consciousness. This might appear arcane and esoteric but he provides an escape route from the web of numbers and mathematical equations.

Be that as it may, what Sri Aurobindo divulges in superb English prose needs to be chewed and digested. Many of his ideas have become quite common and are often spoken without giving him the due credit but many other concepts are still there which can lead the debates here to their logical as well as satisfactory conclusion. I'm resisting the temptation of citing one example or two with the hope that the members of this esteemed forum discover the joy, themselves, in Sri Aurobindo's own magical words.

Finally, there is no gainsaying that no one likes jargon but it's unavoidable in this forum. However, there is a need for standardising terminology for the purpose of scientific investigation of consciousness. Here, Sri Aurobindo's contribution forms an excellent anchor as well as point of departure. I don't think members can take any more.

Thanks, 
Tusar Nath Mohapatra (b.1955)
Director, Savitri Era Learning Forum (SELF)
May 19, 2017 
...

Thanks,

Tusar
June 8, 2017
Posted by at 
...

Dear Bruno,

Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950) wrote a century back and his book The Life Divine draws from diverse sources, both Indian and Western. He conceives existence as a cyclic process of 1) Involution of highest consciousness as matter and then its 2) Evolution from matter to life and then mind etc. He postulates that Supermind is the next rung in this ladder of consciousness. He avoids prescribing any set method but advises that higher states of consciousness can be accessed by a volitional process of self-exceeding.

Thus, when you say about incompleteness of machines, it perhaps can be construed that it is part of the Evolutionary transition, as everything else. But my basic point is, if it is the question of consciousness, then why bring in numbers or machines instead of, say, poetry, which Sri Aurobindo himself preferred. This is not in any way to belittle your professional field of work, competence, or preference.

Wishing you all the best,

Tusar
June 6, 2017
...
Posted by at  
To view this discussion on the web visit
...

Dear Bruno,

I'm not competent to comment on all that you say here, but can understand to some extent the weight of your problems and, may be, their possible dystopian repercussions.

Since you mentioned transhumanists, I'm pasting four extracts below for added perspectives. Your namesakes, - Giordano Bruno and Bruno Latour, - are important players in this emerging scenario, incidentally.

Thanks,
Tusar
May 30, 2017

Extracts: [...]
...

Dear Vinod

I'd like to draw your attention to an extract from The Life Divine by Sri Aurobindo:

"Subdivide the visible aggregate or the formal atom into essential atoms, break it up into the most infinitesimal dust of being, we shall still, because of the nature of the Mind and Life that formed them, arrive at some utmost atomic existence, unstable perhaps but always reconstituting itself in the eternal flux of force, phenomenally, and not at a mere unatomic extension incapable of contents."

You can take a look at the whole chapter at:

Thanks,

Tusar
May 30, 2017
...

Dear Prof. Kaashyap

I don't think I have met anyone with yogic powers or experiences and feel it's good that you didn't find anyone in India. Sri Aurobindo has written extensively on various subjects and they are now freely available online at:


My request to you is to read a page or two at random, even if it doesn't interest you or you don't understand. I can assure you that it'd be very rewarding in terms of self-enrichment over a year or so.

Thanks,
Tusar
May 29, 2017
...

Thanks Bruno for appreciation and positive assessment. You have raised enough anticipation in this forum about your theory which, let's hope, will be unveiled by you someday so that it can be understood by non-specialists like me without being tortured by mathematical symbols or equations.

I have, however, added the final four lines to the above poem as follows:

It's agreed that we are far away
From any semblance of a solution
This should mean as a very sobering attitude
In the face of human finitude.

All the best,

Tusar


Posted by at  
...

Tweets by Tusar Sir @SavitriEraParty
(Tusar Nath Mohapatra)
Finitude and Philosophy

Sadhu-Sanga mulls over consciousness
From pigs to piano, quantum and qualia
Taking a tour from Turing to Penrose and Rosen
Leibniz to Gödel

Machines can know their incompleteness
Numbers conspire to spur consciousness
Notions from Nagasena to Chaitanya
Tug of war over physicalism

From eight-limbs Yoga to eight-bends Gita
Mails flying to and fro throughout eight praharas
Weaving web of words on world wide web
To comfort

Theories don't compare, domains vary
Pushing names a political game
Leibniz is lionised, Gödel waiting for Godot
TM and Vedic Unified-Field

Investigating consciousness via science
And mathematics can never be satisfying
Because of the subjective nature
Of the object of observation.
https://t.co/i0Sy289vLj

It's agreed that we are far away
From any semblance of a solution
This should mean as a very sobering attitude
In the face of human finitude.

Tweets by @SavitriEraParty https://t.co/i0Sy289vLj
Posted by at   
Location: Shipra Riviera, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201014, India
...

Only four thinkers have been successful in coherently narrating the mystery of our existence: Hegel, Whitehead, Sri Aurobindo, and Heidegger
I pick out the four in the sense that they provide a neat (single-book) narrative but for others, it has to be sourced from multiple texts and the end result might lack fidelity. Besides, in these four, one can find elements of others in the past and contemporary science too.

Tusar
May 13, 2017

Sri Aurobindo wrote about Heraclitus as follows:
"The philosophy and thought of the Greeks is perhaps the most intellectually stimulating, the most fruitful of clarities the world has yet had... Professor R. D. Ranade has recently published a small treatise on the philosophy of Heraclitus. From the paging of the treatise ..."
...

Posted by at  


Tusar Nath Mohapatra 
Dear JE,

Your attempt to draw attention to Leibniz is certainly admirable but I'm not sure whether your claims are valid. However, reading Sri Aurobindo's The Life Divine can surely give you an alternative perspective to examine your convictions. Thanks.

TNM
Apr 26, 2017

Dear PJ,

I don't know if you are aware of Sri Aurobindo. His The Life Divine is considered a very authoritative work that deals with the Dogma question you raise here. Hope, you read it sometime. Thanks.

TNM
Apr 26, 2017

Sri Aurobindo wrote extensively on Consciousness a century back but referring to his Ontology is being avoided in these conversations. He provides a much advanced point of departure to study this problem which, I hope, can help in resolving many difficult dilemmas. Thanks to everyone participating in these discussions.

Tusar Nath Mohapatra
Apr 20, 2017

Posted by at 

...

" Hegel put himself outside this tradition."

A recent book, "Hegel's India" brings into focus his tryst with Indian philosophy giving rise to the speculation that many of his innovative notions were inspired by (or, borrowed from) it.

This, of course, is a fertile area of study. A review:


Tusar Nath Mohapatra
...

Posted by at  
Location: Shipra Riviera, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201014, India

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/Online_Sadhu_Sanga/36DF5652-32D4-4C06-85E8-0D27F5AF9D53%40robertmwallace.com

RE: [Sadhu Sanga] back to Thomas Nagel, "Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False" (2012)
" Hegel put himself outside this tradition." A recent book, "Hegel's India" brings into focus his tryst with Indian philosophy giving rise to the speculation ...
16 Apr by me - 242 posts - 47 authors
Posted by at  


Posted by at
Location: Shipra Riviera, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201014, India

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)