Zak Safra
Forum Replies Created
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Thanks very much
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I’ll just add, that the conversation between Iain and his new Swedish publishers of TMAHE that I linked, is really superb!
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Hi Lucy,
I think Iain’s writing in general, and with many examples in particular, have made me feel that way — seeing the world in a new way. Iain speaks so much about the attention we bring to the world, how we attend to the world, that in itself is probably the most powerful lesson I have learned. That a meaningful, connected outlook — It’s all there, waiting for us, we just have to find it in ourselves, and we have agency in the matter, we can try for it. If anything, we must say learn to say no to what we know isn’t the right path, and allow our other mode of attention to come flooding in. Hope that makes sense in a not to weird way!
The Zen gardens of Kyoto, specifically, really did open my eyes in a new way. I felt humbled and inspired by their beauty and profundity.
Thank you for your reply 🙂
Zak
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Hi Peter,
this is very interesting. I wholeheartedly concur with your comment on preserving the environment which enables the reciprocity. It’s a very productive way of thinking of situations in general, to move away from direct, (reductionist?) causality and see how critical context is. I think its also connected to how Iain speaks of relationships as Primary, and maybe this is what he means when he speaks of a Hindu(?) myth where the universe is visualized as net of interconnectedness. (If I got that wrong, please do correct me).
The second type, which you called rational, and parallels mind and world sounds quite Platonic. I understand why you call it closed. In Chapter 22 on Time, Iain speaks of the Platonic forms as being an attempt to escape temporality. (I may have grossly misquoted here, I will try and check it later). And I suppose it does make sense to associate it with a left hemisphere kind of thinking because in a sense it wants everything categorized, and seeks some kind of fixity, the way I understood you describe it. It reminds me of how ancient Egyptian and other societies justified slavery and social hierarchies arguing for some kind of metaphysical structure which meant it could be no other way.
On the other hand, there are some Kabalistic ideas I am aware of where positive actions below (in the lower realms) can incur an Awakening above (in the higher realms). And I’m not sure that’s a left-hemisphere notion. Just a thought 🙂
I didn’t quite understand the last two types you described, (and I don’t understand Dutch). but I found your post fascinating, thank you.
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Hi there Matt
It’s great to discover a thinker as profound as Iain. Highly recommend getting his most recent books but since you seem to be into the videos I’ll just say I also find them very useful. There are great podcasts online to check out too.
Best
Zak
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Hello Sjahari
Could you write more on how archetypes are being found in neurobiology? And if you could also explain more on Jung and synchronicity, I’d be grateful as it’s something I’ve been seeing around but haven’t had a chance to explore.
Zak
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Hi Don,
lots of gems in what you wrote. Don’t laugh, but I asked ChatGPT to summarize all the books you mentioned, they look really good:
The author mentions several books throughout the text. Here is a list of the books mentioned:
- “Secret and Sublime” by Jon Blofeld
- “The Experience of God: “Existence Consciousness Bliss”” by David Bentley Hart
- “Into the Silent Land” by Father Martin Laird
- A book on nonduality by David Loy (no specific title mentioned)
- A book on Dzogchen by B. Alan Wallace (no specific title mentioned)
🙂
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Hi Don
I haven’t gotten to Iain’s chapter on the Sacred. But I have (I should say I think I have heard him say that panentheism allows for both an immanent and transcendent deity). I am not sure I fully understand the meaning of these words, and I certainly want to understand panentheism better.
A deity that is both separate and connected. Surely this would depend on our mind’s ability to conceive of this deity. And this would depend on what kind of comprehending or conceiving we were doing. Which would come down to the kind attention we bring the question. I really love Iain’s discussions on this, and how he comes back to Escher’s drawing hands. One thing that isn’t clear to me is what this means vis a vis objectivity. Is such a concept a falacy?
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Hi Julie,
I love the thought about cricket matches. Very insightful. Gosh to take 5 days to watch a match. It seems like its from a lost world (for me).
I was interesting to hear more about your mindful eating. From my side, I just wanted to share… I’ve been doing intermittent fasting for a while, and I’ve been very pleased with the general mindset I find myself in during the day. Contrary to what many think, focus improves, and calm is easier to maintain in pressured situations.
One area that I found myself struggling in was breaking the fast. The time (around 5 pm) usually coincides with a high level of pressure both at home and at work and the result is anything but mindful eating(!).
I tried a meditation today (well — reading some sacred texts before breaking the fast). It helped. I feel it was the right direction. But I can’t say I’ve mastered it yet.
All the best,
Zak
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Hello Whit,
That’s a great point. The journey really was saturated with meaning. I was excited to visit, almost a feeling of pilgrimage on behalf of Channel McGilchrist!
Zak
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hi @DanSlife !
I’m so sorry for the late reply. it’s been a manic few months, but I’m really delighted to find someone who was at this talk! I’ve been meaning to take some quotes and just jot them down. Here’s a humorous one :
“The Left Hemisphere’s language and thought do not cut the mustard. And they can’t be expected to, cos its still looking for the mustard and wondering how to cut it”
😅
of course, humor is part of the lecture, but by no means does this reflect some of the other insights. The whole thing is marvelous.
Cheers!
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Hi James,
I’ve experienced the same slowness issue. I reported it to the team so I trust it will be looked at. I hope people will feel it’s worth the effort to get the new website going well despite the teething pains.
Best
Zak
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Hi Peter
It might be a browser issue. I’ve opened up the group as you suggested. If you could report it there and also mention your browser maybe someone can help.
I’m using an iPhone and I seem to have a reply option.
Best
Zak
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Hi Peter,
I think the website gives you an option to reply to a specific comment, as I am doing now to yours.
I’m not quite sure how to go about setting up a technical forum, if I get my head around it I’ll do. Perhaps you would like to before me?
I think any support from members in these early stages is welcome.
Zak