UnbornTao

@Yimpa We could say that, in that photo, the act of counting is taking place - hence it is factual, as is their act of making observations. They are perceiving something - some object - the number of which they disagree on. A "fact" can fall into the category of what is obvious and taken for granted. An opinion, on the other hand, may be regarded as their current view or judgment of the situation; in this case, that the count they are making is correct from their point of view. Or something like that, maybe.

You have an unusual notion of opinion and fact… I don't follow the inferences and assumptions you make to reach those conclusions. Now, independent of ourselves, we could ask what's actually occurring in any given situation or condition - or what's true. That would be something else, I'd say. And opinions couldn't touch that, no matter how fervently we defend our notions and desires.

Not offering free or virtually free, universal, high-quality education. Letting money get in the way of research and education, in various ways - while billions are spent on wars Failing to provide free universal healthcare, at least in the U.S. Fucking up the planet for monetary gain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ Is it a rick roll? Only one way to find out. Try this: https://youtu.be/8m7Ybp3Ehrs?si=tpseeHcZ2g6Pi7G_

It's neither an experience nor a perception, so I guess we're fucked.

@ivankiss @Dodo Olé

Nothing needs to change, and whatever happens in the brain is a secondary side effect and shouldn't be the focus. It's absolute and prior to the brain. It was the case before you had a body - as if. Don't turn this into a cosmology. What you're talking about may better be called healing, but no healing, transformation, or process needs to take place for that. Again, it's useful to really revisit the reality that we actually do not know what this "direct" business is about.

Viva las Vegas

It's a trap! Coming directly from the guy himself. Neither is it one's own opinion, belief, or preference. It's not even subject to perception, but this is difficult to hear, as this is the only place we have to look. And it's not a state. As for your second sentence, who said that? How do you see enlightenment? What is it? Earnestly inquire into that. Now, after all that, ask again. Then seriously consider that it is neither of those. No place to hide! It's you now. The drugs only alter your brain. It's like putting on running shoes to get at the place you already are. Or some such analogy.

Oh no I hold a different opinion

So "opinion is existential" is what you're saying?

Alexa, clean up this mess.

What result do you hope to achieve by doing that? Is it really useful or necessary? What other effective options do you have at your disposal? These are not rethorical questions, by the way. You can always ask a good question, preferably an open-ended one. Also, make sure it's really about them, not you trying to sound smart or impressive. For communication to occur you first need a listener. Are they willing to listen? How can you get your experience or point across? And again, clarify your purpose for doing this.

How could a conclusion or logic be existential? This is the distinction we're trying to make here. It's relatively straightforward. You already recognize that there's something operating - let's call this objective reality - that, no matter how much you try to mess with it, either conceptually or physically, will stay relatively the same. This isn't the only criterion but it makes the point. The fact that objects fall down isn't a logical conclusion. It might not be ultimately "true," but you experience it as a solid reality every day, even as a baby before you could make sense of it (even though you did have to learn to align with it). There's no need to bring in abstract considerations like solipsism or duality.

@Yimpa Oh, you meant weed? According to Google it's also Easter Sunday... hence my joke.

So... who is this Jesus guy again?

Was this AI-generated?

People really believe they do. And they want to believe the substances can. But it's always about a relative phenomenon. Again, the analogy of taking an stimulant within a dream may illustrate this point. At the end of the day it's an experience. Not that one cannot grasp it regardless of circumstance - and independent of whatever's perceived, etc.

He doesn't base his take on his experience with drugs, but on his direct consciousness!

Ramana went through an experience of terror while simulating his own death on the floor - before his massive enlightenment. What you think enlightenment is is not what it is. It's like drinking coffee within a dream in order to wake up from it. You may be stimulated but it can't wake you up; only you can do it, directly. Oh, and it has nothing to do with the brain either. It's not an experience, so that is irrelevant in this context.

Don't insult dinosaurs.

Is this your first account on the site?