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June 2009 
Consciousness(pt. 2)
Posted on Jun 5th, 2008
by 
Domi333
Domi333
I'm reading into this scientific(neuro-cognitive) vs. philosophical movement on finding
the source of consciousness, it seems that it all comes down to this: a neural synapse jolts in my brain while I look at a bird, now the information from the bird comes into my eyes, optic nerve then up to brain...I think about the bird's actions, a correlating effect is found in my brain...does the cervic impulse encompass the conscious act?(I know, my scientific knowledge in this is limited, I study theatre at uni...hehe nevertheless)
I had the strangest experience on the train once, my friend went into sub-con(dream mode) I closed my eyes, strangely enough there I was observing his dream(and yes I asked him about it afterwards)...one of the strangest things that has happened to me...
Now, was I observing his dream because of my informed knowledge of his social life comings and goings...I knew him very well I don't deny it, but the specific experience of seeing his dream yet being the observer was an unforgettable experience. Someday I'll find a really good explanation for this.
here's a good article examining the neural correlates of consciousness
'Are there neural correlates of the brain' noe, thompson(http://individual.utoronto.ca/evant/NCC.pdf)
the source of consciousness, it seems that it all comes down to this: a neural synapse jolts in my brain while I look at a bird, now the information from the bird comes into my eyes, optic nerve then up to brain...I think about the bird's actions, a correlating effect is found in my brain...does the cervic impulse encompass the conscious act?(I know, my scientific knowledge in this is limited, I study theatre at uni...hehe nevertheless)
I had the strangest experience on the train once, my friend went into sub-con(dream mode) I closed my eyes, strangely enough there I was observing his dream(and yes I asked him about it afterwards)...one of the strangest things that has happened to me...
Now, was I observing his dream because of my informed knowledge of his social life comings and goings...I knew him very well I don't deny it, but the specific experience of seeing his dream yet being the observer was an unforgettable experience. Someday I'll find a really good explanation for this.
here's a good article examining the neural correlates of consciousness
'Are there neural correlates of the brain' noe, thompson(http://individual.utoronto.ca/evant/NCC.pdf)
Access: Public
Yep there are neural correlates of consciousness as there are consciousness corrlates of the neural. Science can only prove correlation but not causation. Even if one thing precedes another thing it still doesn't prove causation. However, for practical reasons, we normally assume causation because its the simplest explanation… meaning our minds aren't very good at comprehending complexity.
Your experience isn't unusual, but its nearly impossible for it to be studied scientifically. This is a limitation of science and doesn't in any way bring doubt to such experiences.
A view that seems plausible is that the brain is a receiver. It doesn't do anything other than take in info and translate it, but it doesn't merely or even primarily base its translations on info from the 5 senses. It can pick up any info that it is tuned into and its tuning can be changed both intentionally and accidentally.
I bought a book recently titled The Trickster and the Paranormal by George P. Hansen. Its about the difficulties of parapsychological research. I've only skimmed it a bit at the moment, but I might read it soon if I don't get distracted. Lynne McTaggart is another writer who analyzes the difficulties of consciousness research. Her books are a good survey of the field.
Butting in here – it is not even terribly uncommon for two people to have simultaneously the same dream but from each's perspective as identity, and be interacting in their dream, and remember details about who did what, upon awakening, and comparing notes reveals complete agreement about who did what when. I've even heard of more than two. Have not done it, but have a close friend who reported to me his two-person shared dream-interaction. And he's a super-rationalist !!!!
The best “explanation” is “There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy, Horatio.” (Shakespeare, Hamlet)
Blessings, OM Bastet
thank you bastet…
wasn't hamlet where? :”all the world's a stage and all the men and women are merely actors(or players)”
Would you care to give me links to any studies done or books written about collective dreaming?
p.s.did you know bastet was personified(or 'cattified', if that's a term) in a tv series called 'early edition'? i like to think that the main character is one of those unsung heroes that are subconsciously in touch with things but doesn't reveal it…
Nice to see you here, OM.
Dom, I'm aware of some research that might interest you. The Maimonides Medical Center did research on dream telepathy which is similar to shared dreaming.
http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Telepathy-Experiments-Extrasensory-Consciousness/dp/1571743219/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218050363&sr=1-3
http://siivola.org/monte/papers_grouped/copyrighted/Parapsychology_&_Psi/Dream%20Telepathy%20-%20Experimental%20and%20Clinical%20Findings%20(2003).htm
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m2320/is_n1_v57/ai_14527221/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1