Schrödinger’s Self

02021-09-30 | Uncategorized | 7 comments


found here

Schrödinger was a Quantum Physicist – wikipedia link – who is known for the Schrödinger’s Cat thought experiment, devised in a discussion with Albert Einstein.

About consciousness Schrödinger said:

If the world is indeed created by our act of observation, there should be billions of such worlds, one for each of us. How come your world and my world are the same? If something happens in my world, does it happen in your world, too? What causes all these worlds to synchronize with each other?
There is obviously only one alternative, namely the unification of minds or consciousnesses. Their multiplicity is only apparent, in truth there is only one mind.

This is also the perspective of many Eastern religions and philosophies. It is reassuring that scientists and mystics can come to the same conclusion.

If we extend the idea that we don’t originate our own consciousness but rather are part of a larger consciousness we might also question the idea of self. We might consider that the sense of self is merely the result of identification with this body and mind. We identify with a body that was “remixed” from our parents genes, identify with the culture we were born into, and with the society we were raised in.

To me it seems that letting go of the idea of self is an unburdening. Ah, I don’t have to carry that any longer. Put it down now, take a load off. It’s just a construct and keeps me from seeing reality.

We say people who help others, without worrying about themselves, are “selfless”. More likely we are all selfless and most of us simply forget that.

When we really operate well, when we are in the flow – this goes for musicians, painters, but also for nurses, software programmers, in fact anyone can experience this – there is no sense of self at all. There is only the action that is required by the nurse or doctor, the musical note that has to be played, the brushstroke that must be executed. There is no longer a driver, only the driving. Ayrton Senna famously said of his legendary qualifying lap at Monaco in 1988: “I was no longer driving it consciously.” No driver – only driving.

7 Comments

  1. Anne

    Yes- flow states seem to offer -optimal states of human consciousness.

    For many, hard to achieve.

    Becoming aware of awareness – helps re constructs.

    For me, its a mystery…a huge puzzle ie- Non self vs nihilism.

    (Great Post)

    Reply
    • ottmar

      No-self > part of everything
      Nihilism > part of nothing
      ?

      Reply
    • JaneParhamKatz

      “No driver – only driving.”
      That’s it! The simple key to getting the false self out of the way and feeling the Infinite Mind.

      I’m getting that odd feeling again, the one where all the material forms around me drop away and I am left floating out in the Cosmos. My heart races and my eyes fill with tears.

      Reply
      • ottmar

        That’s wonderful. Many kids have this experience and sadly as adults they forget the feeling and are unable to get back there. Glad you still got it! :-)

        Reply
        • JaneParhamKatz

          Really? Really! You’ve spotted my childlike heart, dear Ottmar.

          Reply
          • ottmar

            With a gentle bow from a fellow childlike.

  2. Forrest

    Hi Ottmar, working away listening to your latest album and was inspired to look you up on Instagram and naturally discovered you’re no longer there (totally get it!) Anywho nice to be on the blog here…

    The word “unberdening ” jumped out at me. One of my favorite books on the great unburdening is “Falling Into Grace” by Adyashanti perhaps it’s already fallen into your lap along your way.

    Blessings,
    Forrest

    Reply

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