People can spend many years searching for the truth. They often spend years trying to answer questions such as Who am I? It sounds funny but its true. I know because I was one of those guys.
But if you want the truth, and if you want to spend your time wisely, I suggest investing your energy on answering this one simple question.
Is there any 'thing' here?
That's pretty clear. Yes or no. Are you open to either possibility? Do you care enough to find out? Those last 2 questions must be answered yes. Now start your investigation. What is the truth?
I am suggesting that you invest your time on this question because all mistakes are downstream from here. Unfortunately, very few scientists consider the possibility that Consciousness was here before matter.
How we answer this question is the difference between wisdom and ignorance. Saying there is some 'thing' here is implying a separate Consciousness whether we are aware of it or not. It implies that Consciousness is limited and dependent on the body.
This question gives the truth seeker a way to organize his investigation. He can now be laser focused on the questions and answers. This is a straighter path than, "Who am I" in my opinion. Who am I, usually leads to confusion and the dog chasing its tail.
We are looking for the truth, therefore, no rock should be uncovered. Use your imagination.
We need to temporarily suspend beliefs so that we can do an honest investigation. At the end of the day you need to do the work. You need to want to know. I am aware that this blog might sounds crazy. But consider that trying to answer this simple question is the same approach a truth seeker would have taken 1,000 years ago wanting to know if the world was round.
We laugh at people because at one time they believed the world was flat. We only laugh because we now know the truth. But imagine trying to tell someone that they were not sitting on flat ground? Imagine telling them that, in reality, they were spinning upside down on a giant ball spinning around at 88,000 mph? Good luck. Someday (if we survive), people in the future won't believe what we currently believe to be our reality. One day they will laugh too.
The approach is the same to both questions; Flat vs Round and Something vs. Nothing. I am suggesting that we take the same scientific and experiential approach to get the answers.
What does Occom's Razor say?: Which model of reality makes the least assumptions?
Which model of reality, Consciousness or Matter, is consistent with my direct experience? (Direct experience is the most powerful piece of evidence).
Do we care that all sages through out history are saying the same thing?
What evidence does contemporary science offer us?
We need to be as unbiased as possible. We don't have a preference. Meaning, I don't care the answer. I just want to know. Truth for truth's sake. The search does not stop until we understand that believing in one of these models would be ignorant, because the evidence clearly supports the other model. The more we investigate, the truth becomes more clear. The more we investigate, one of these models no longer makes sense.
Better men than me have tried to communicate the truth. I am just trying to help you organize your search. Give you the tools to conduct your own investigation. Save you some time by avoiding cul de sacs that lead to no where. All evidence points to the same answer. You just need to want to know. Very few want to know. I am happy to help but it only works if you are already interested.
If you are happy, it doesn't matter. Or perhaps you just want to know. If you are suffering, finding the truth is the quickest path to end your suffering. For me, it was the only way.
For the record I am saying Consciousness was here first. I would not dare say this out loud to family or friends because I might sound crazy. But the only person laughing is the person who hasn't taken the time to investigate for themselves.
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