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- Reality and Consciousness:
 Mar 6, 8:29pm  (6 reviews) http://twm.co.nz/prussell.htm-
Reality and Consciousness
Turning the Superparadigm Inside Out
[ftp] The current superparadigm [the paradigm underlying all scientific paradigms] assumes that space, time and matter constitute the basic framework of reality, and consciousness somehow arises from this reality. The truth, it now appears, is the very opposite. As far as the reality we experience is concerned -- and this remember is the only reality we ever know -- consciousness is primary. Time, space and matter are secondary; they are aspects of the image of reality manifesting in the mind. They exist within consciousness; not the other way around.
Similar claims have often been made in spiritual teachings, particularly Indian philosophy. Patanjali's Yoga Sutra's, for example, speak of the entire world as chitta vritti, "the modifications of mind-stuff". When physicists hear statements such as this, and take them to be referring to the physical world, they are understandably perplexed and perhaps dismissive. But when we understand this to be a statement about the manifestation of our experienced world, it begins to make more sense. If we consider the reality we experience, then we have to accept that in the final analysis they are correct: Consciousness is the essence of everything--everything in the known universe. It is the medium from which every aspect of our experience manifests. Every form and quality we ever experience in the world is an appearance within consciousness.
Science has looked out into deep space, back into "deep time" to the beginning of creation, and down into the "deep structure" of the cosmos, the very essence of matter, and is proud to tell us that it finds no need nor place for God--the Universe seems to work perfectly well without his assistance. But whoever said God is to be found "out there", in the realm of space, time and matter? This is a very naive and old-fashioned interpretation of God. When spiritual teachings refer to God they are, more often than not, pointing towards the realm of inner experience, not some thing in the physical realm. If we want to find 'God', we have to look within, into the realm of "deep mind"--a realm that science has yet to explore.
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