Consciousness is the way the world appears and feels to me
Christof Koch
The Feeling Of Life Itself
I’m still a bit startled by the contemplation to which I was led by yesterday’s AI image (link), created at my request, using the words ‘bright reflective colours, peace.’ Tonight’s post hosts a peaceful photograph made (by Dominik Hofbauer) with somewhat older image-making means.
Startled, because I immediately felt calmer in the presence of softer edges, of rich, diverse and colourful invitation, of my friend Lori’s response, of Christof Koch’s clearly stated belief that ‘Consciousness is the way the world appears to me’ – to me – implying that it’s possible, likely even, that my consciousness, the way things appear to me, will, of necessity and ‘wiring,’ be different to the ways in which ‘things’ or ‘experience’ feel to you.
Albeit that I can believe that you and I may have similar experiences, may be ‘attracted’ to similar things, may – in a broad sense – ‘love’ life, each other, and ourselves, in similar ways, still I want to ask the question: can I ever adequately describe what I feel to another? Could any other ever hope to understand such a description? Can another feel what I feel, precisely? Can I feel what they feel?
And so it seems to me that the pursuit of peace – good relationships with other humans, and with our earthly home, and all the other living things herein – requires that we respect the lived experience of every other person around us, for they can no more help their being different to me than I can help being different to them.
This is fundamental to any present or future cessation of hostilities between people – individuals or nations. If we could only grasp that another’s different experience of the world does not and should not automatically make of them an enemy, a foe, we might simultaneously come to understand that the ‘paths of peace,’ of living with, of not making enemies of, ultimately of celebrating difference, rich colour and diversity, are the best ‘way forward’ for us all.
Who can count how much has been lost by humankind’s warring with one another, by gender inequality, by misguided and unjust persecution of so called ‘minorities,’ and of refugees – even unto death? There’s something of the minority, something of the refugee, in every single, conscious, experiencing one of us – in you, and in me. Who can count how many would, in their heart of hearts, really want this travesty, this gross mistreatment and waste, to continue?
I wonder what others think? Would an acceptance of others being different because they were made to be different, perhaps specifically intended to be different, lead us, call us, invite us into the rich, diverse, multi-coloured, multi-layered ‘more excellent way’ of a much longed-for future, of a much longed-for, agonised-over, prayed-for, consciously dreamed of, better way, today?
Can we hope to be startled by peace?
wind in my wheels 🌱 
Very profound and moving. I am thinking about this a lot. Thank you.
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Beautiful musings, Simon, and so much to unpack. I think you are correct…if we could but embrace, nay celebrate, our differences rather than seize upon them as ways to further separate ourselves from one another, ahhh the places we might go! ❤️
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