Brian;
I attempt to seek value, and give some back, in all my endeavours.
In this thread, this goal remains unchanged
I offer the following perspective as a way of turning this thread into something of value for those folk who read it.
You speak of other realities. My
post #12 contains my distinctions for maintaining the separation of the different types of reality in a conversation. I assure you, this is not from some trivial piece of literature. It has been compiled by myself after many years of deep contemplation, living experience, and a lot of research based on different multiple religions and philosophies. It was motivated by the following simple question:
“What is real .. and how do I know it is real ?”
I can see no reason to not use these distinctions as a way of listening to your perspectives. Call it a listening bias .. whatever you like, either way, the message is pretty well undistorted when I listen from these perspectives. I can make use of what 'comes in', by applying them. I cannot value fairly presented information, without maintaining such distinctions.
The alternate “realities” of which you speak, correspond closely with my distinction of “Individual Reality”. The effects are real, within one’s own mind. They may also become real for other people, when conversation about them is met, received and agreed upon, (“Reality by Consensus”).
I don’t believe I have any problems with other folk exploring “Individual Reality” or even “Reality by Consensus”.
The crucial aspect for me, is to never lose sight of the importance of keeping these distinctions 'present' in mind, during a conversation.
This is why I am able to undertake conversations such as this, without losing respect for my partner in conversation. By applying these distinctions, I also do not lose sight of my own goals, which may occasionally reside and shift amongst the three main types of reality, as outlined by these metaphorical distinctions.
You would have to present me with evidence that some aspect of what you’ve said, results in something which does not fall into one or the other of these distinctions, in order for me to pay more serious attention to the way I intend to proceed through my remaining life.
Other than this, I feel quite at ease, with your proceeding to explore what I call, “Individual Reality”.
All I ask is for you to get clear about what you are doing.
And please don’t mix any of it up with exploration of Physical Reality (or, Reality in the Real World).
The true ‘diamond’ in this thread, lies in the message of maintaining clear visibility of the different aspects of ‘reality’ and not getting them confused, either in one's mind, or in conversation.
Cheers