I really like the the path you followed when writing this one.
And it leaves the doors open for all kinds of different, personal answers... or no answer at all.

Axilea

I remember arguing with an ardent buddhist who claimed that not only is the mind completely explicable in scientific terms, but also that we're about to use this knowledge to build sentient machines. I've replied that all we can do is to mimic the behavior of sentient beings, for consciousness as such - me actually seeing the red color, or the white color, or the shape - the actuality of the experience has nothing to do with biology. The science can only track the mechanisms that lead for the sensation to arise, but cannot tell us why do we actually have an experience. Furthermore, a sensation is beyond any scientific investigation in that it is inherently subjective a phenomenon - I know beyond any doubt that I can see my surroundings and that I am aware of my own existence, but neither I - nor anyone else - can verify that the person next door actually has an awareness or if he or she only mimics a behavior of a creature that is aware.

One of the best explanations for the phenomenon of consciousness are, in my opinion, to be found in the gnostic teachings, especially in the eastern teaching of Samkhya. Basically, there was one common point between the eastern and the western gnosis, that is that the experiencer of sensation is separate from the physical/biological mechanisms that generate the sensation; both the physical body and the personality (what we usually think of as I) were seen by them as products of matter. According to gnostics, our true identity is what western gnostics called 'pneuma', and the followers of Samkhya called 'Purusha' - an element so subtle that it is completely beyond matter and free from it, which means, among other things, that it is not to be confused with what we use to think of as our own self and our own personality. The major difference between the two traditions was that western gnosis expressed itself through myth, and the eastern gnosis opted for a more objective, 'scientific' approach to the problem.

Sorry for this rant - all that I wanted to say is that I liked the poem very much.

Aleksander Mosingiewicz

Wisely composed... Subjects dealt developed to poetize "Why?" bring the aroma of awareness, and the scent of wisdom.

In admiration,

Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU

Perhaps a time of wonderment because we can never gain all the answers. So elogantly prosed.....

Be safe,
Karen

Yes Keith, the temple of I, and the why, complex what? It's the wondering about it all and exploration of it, that makes life interesting, if we'd see the naked final truth of it, like "God", we'd be dead and bored, for if you know it all, what is there to explore, the seven veils about the belly dancer gives just enaugh a glimpse of it, to keep us interested, doesn't it,from a male perspective, but what do I know? You did it again my friend, you are ambidextrous, have you noticed, from Satanic verses to God the almighty, you live in a rich mental environ! Bless you! Jasmin Horst

There is indeed substance for reflection in this write of yours, Keith. Thank you for sharing it. Love and peace to you,

Regis