Integrating Solipsism with Empathy

[Devon]

I’ve become directly conscious of “solipsism” many times (although once I drop down to baseline this is hardly ever conscious day to day). But can tap into it and know directly that “other” is simply an impossibility… at least in the traditional sense. 

I’m currently contemplating how to integrate this with empathy.

For example, I’ve always been extremely high in empathy, sometimes to my detriment. And in the past, it was that empathy for non-humans that made me a vegan for 7 years. My heart used to ache for the pain and suffering of animals.

But one of the consequences of waking up over the years was realizing that the pain of animals is imaginary. And this combined with the dogmatism of veganism got me to drop it. I now eat a normal omnivore diet.

However, sometimes I wonder if I had just used the solipsism insight to “turn off” my empathy out of convenience…in this context is it really just self serving zen devilry? Veganism aside, bc that’s not the point here but rather just an example (I don’t plan to be vegan again), how do I make sense of that observation where an increase in consciousness actually made me “less empathetic” in a sense. Perhaps I need a higher, more expanded definition of empathy.

I guess the root of my question is: 

Can spiritual insight lead to less empathy or concern for suffering of others? And if so, is that clarity or is it a trap?

 

 

[Razard86]

1 hour ago, Devon said:

I’ve become directly conscious of “solipsism” many times (although once I drop down to baseline this is hardly ever conscious day to day). But can tap into it and know directly that “other” is simply an impossibility… at least in the traditional sense. 

I’m currently contemplating how to integrate this with empathy.

For example, I’ve always been extremely high in empathy, sometimes to my detriment. And in the past, it was that empathy for non-humans that made me a vegan for 7 years. My heart used to ache for the pain and suffering of animals.

But one of the consequences of waking up over the years was realizing that the pain of animals is imaginary. And this combined with the dogmatism of veganism got me to drop it. I now eat a normal omnivore diet.

However, sometimes I wonder if I had just used the solipsism insight to “turn off” my empathy out of convenience…in this context is it really just self serving zen devilry? Veganism aside, bc that’s not the point here but rather just an example (I don’t plan to be vegan again), how do I make sense of that observation where an increase in consciousness actually made me “less empathetic” in a sense. Perhaps I need a higher, more expanded definition of empathy.

I guess the root of my question is: 

Can spiritual insight lead to less empathy or concern for suffering of others? And if so, is that clarity or is it a trap?

 

 

Dude people like you are too hard on yourselves, if you are spending time contemplating this I seriously doubt you are struggling in the empathetic department. Please don't become one of those nice people who spend time trying to find a way to demonize themselves. If you want to understand the magic of Solipsism its this......how do you want to be treated?

Obviously you want to be treated with respect, so treat everyone with respect. If you were in a dire situation and needed help you'd want help, so if an opportunity arises where you could help someone...help them. If you hurt someone unintentionally you would want forgiveness, so forgive those that hurt you.

Solipsism is the highest love, because you are communicating with yourself!!!! What can be more beautiful than that? It's so amazing!!!!

[Hojo]

Even if solipsism is true its you in the cow. You will spawn as that cow, you have infinite time but you will. Its an idea, if you remain attached to the idea that is you, God has infinite ideas its not all of them at the same time. But you identifying with the idea makes it in your reality and a possibility. So I think you can ask yourself .

Can I let this idea go, and keep eating meat, or will I keep shitting on myself for doing it? If I went vegan could I let go of the idea and not shit on meat eaters or even react to them or that its happening?

Pick whichever one will help you let go.

You cant have an idea of what you dont identify with so whichever you can stop identifying with the idea. The idea will dissapear from the existence of reality and therefore dosent exist.

I think they tell you not to eat meat because it fucks up your energy levels. Basically fear energy, but I dont know.

Edited Thursday at 03:07 AM by Hojo

[Sempiternity]

Solipsism is the highest form of love.

All the problems one has comes from other being other to you. This leads to disconnect, stories, meaning, judgments, etc.

The highest love is Unity, Oneness. To collapse the disconnect.

Everything in direct experience is one thing: Consciousness. 

Direct experience is equal to Existence, is equal to Consciousness, is equal to Reality, is equal to Being, is equal to Awareness, is equal to All that there is, is equal to God, is equal to You, is equal to Other.

You are all of it, so 'other' is You.

Self Love is to love all of it, as yourself. That is the highest love. 

[Someone here]

6 hours ago, Devon said:

I’ve become directly conscious of “solipsism” many times (although once I drop down to baseline this is hardly ever conscious day to day). But can tap into it and know directly that “other” is simply an impossibility… at least in the traditional sense. 

I’m currently contemplating how to integrate this with empathy.

For example, I’ve always been extremely high in empathy, sometimes to my detriment. And in the past, it was that empathy for non-humans that made me a vegan for 7 years. My heart used to ache for the pain and suffering of animals.

But one of the consequences of waking up over the years was realizing that the pain of animals is imaginary. And this combined with the dogmatism of veganism got me to drop it. I now eat a normal omnivore diet.

However, sometimes I wonder if I had just used the solipsism insight to “turn off” my empathy out of convenience…in this context is it really just self serving zen devilry? Veganism aside, bc that’s not the point here but rather just an example (I don’t plan to be vegan again), how do I make sense of that observation where an increase in consciousness actually made me “less empathetic” in a sense. Perhaps I need a higher, more expanded definition of empathy.

I guess the root of my question is: 

Can spiritual insight lead to less empathy or concern for suffering of others? And if so, is that clarity or is it a trap?

 

 

First off you are not actually awake to solipsism just by the mere fact of posting on a forum expecting "others " as if they have an independent existence outside your consciousness to give you feedback.  Sorry for pointing the obvious. There is a lot of nonsense going on on the forum as of late and I'm just trying to bring some sense to this place .

When you ask if animal's suffering is imaginary then what's the point of going vegan to lessen their imaginary suffering ..when you ask this question you are fooling yourself. 

As long as "others " "seem" to exist then let solipsism suck my balls even if it's true . "Hell is other people " and you are forced to deal with people as conscious agents who definitely experience suffering. And the more you care about the suffering of imaginary others the more you become one with them and raise your awareness. 

 

[Salvijus]

There's only one conciousness manifesting and tasting itself through infinite forms. So when you see others, you're seeing just another form of conciousness just like you. That's when empathy, love and brotherhood comes. Otherwise these things are irreconcilable. 

Edited Thursday at 07:53 AM by Salvijus

[Devon]

@Someone here I still have plenty of self-concepts to dissolve and awakenings to have, but posting for feedback isn’t inherently at odds with a solipsistic, one infinite-mind metaphysic. As long as others behave as if they’re conscious, I can still use their “minds” as mirrors to reflect and challenge my own thought patterns, much like how one might use an AI for thought refining or critique without needing to believe there’s any true consciousness behind it. Everything is self interaction..

But with some of the responses I received (thanks people), along with my own continued contemplation, I had a few sequential realizations:

1.) Every person or being I give attention to is, in a sense, a potential point of view or expression within the infinite mind of God.

2.) However, my conception of that point of view isn’t the point of view itself and it isn’t here now. The only thing here is the IDEA of the other and their experience / suffering, which is what is affecting me, and ideas can be let go. 

3.) also, if all experiences are possible within gods infinite mind, that very possibility renders them null in a way. All is inevitable, and no specific experience needs to be avoided. I don’t need to moralistically micromanage my life for the sake of these projections.

4) Still, If I have a natural human empathy built into me, I can just follow it when it arises and let go when it doesn’t. 

I think what I actually called empathy was really sullied with guilt and a crusade against suffering.

[Razard86]

4 hours ago, Devon said:

@Someone here I still have plenty of self-concepts to dissolve and awakenings to have, but posting for feedback isn’t inherently at odds with a solipsistic, one infinite-mind metaphysic. As long as others behave as if they’re conscious, I can still use their “minds” as mirrors to reflect and challenge my own thought patterns, much like how one might use an AI for thought refining or critique without needing to believe there’s any true consciousness behind it. Everything is self interaction..

But with some of the responses I received (thanks people), along with my own continued contemplation, I had a few sequential realizations:

1.) Every person or being I give attention to is, in a sense, a potential point of view or expression within the infinite mind of God.

2.) However, my conception of that point of view isn’t the point of view itself and it isn’t here now. The only thing here is the IDEA of the other and their experience / suffering, which is what is affecting me, and ideas can be let go. 

3.) also, if all experiences are possible within gods infinite mind, that very possibility renders them null in a way. All is inevitable, and no specific experience needs to be avoided. I don’t need to moralistically micromanage my life for the sake of these projections.

4) Still, If I have a natural human empathy built into me, I can just follow it when it arises and let go when it doesn’t. 

I think what I actually called empathy was really sullied with guilt and a crusade against suffering.

I told you, you have all the answers right there. Great post!!