tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5211673002367960332.post3037364376201486938..comments2023-09-09T02:41:47.167-07:00Comments on Beyond Advaita: CONSCIOUSNESS IN COMARamesam Vemurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13670447320400400816noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5211673002367960332.post-86660103798124589642011-05-13T14:28:53.038-07:002011-05-13T14:28:53.038-07:00Sound test could identify 'locked-in' pati...Sound test could identify 'locked-in' patients:<br /><br />[Takn from: New Scientist<br />http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20471-sound-test-could-identify-lockedin-patients.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=brain]<br /><br />"While some people with serious brain damage are totally unaware of their surroundings, others are in a "minimally conscious" state (MCS). These patients have some level of awareness but may be unable express it to those around them because of the injuries to their brain.<br /><br />The discovery of a signalling pathway in the brain that is different in the two conditions could open the way to an easy and objective way of telling whether a particular patient has any remaining consciousness, even if they can't respond in an obvious way.<br /><br />Melanie Boly's analysis points to a specific feedback mechanism between the temporal cortex, which is responsible for auditory processing, and a higher-level brain area called the frontal cortex. Both healthy and MCS subjects were able to send signals between these brain areas in both directions. In vegetative state patients, signals could pass from the auditory area to the frontal cortex, but not in the opposite direction.<br /><br />Boly believes the loss of this so-called "top-down" process is what causes unconsciousness in brain-damaged patients, and that it can therefore be used to identify MCS patients."ramesamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5211673002367960332.post-90383846404435780802009-12-03T07:35:03.951-08:002009-12-03T07:35:03.951-08:00First a big Thank you to Cos Mic for the time and ...First a big Thank you to Cos Mic for the time and thought he could spend on the Blog.<br /><br />Re: "me" thought: It is used as a short hand to express the gateway 'node' of neuronal networks through which all such information which is related to the body organism are processed. It is not yet understood how this process engenders the subjective feeling of a 'self', a 'me', within the organism. Neuroscience could not find a specific 'spot' in the brain for the 'self.' The word 'seer' is used in a figuritive sense because after an object is cognised, the immediate thought that usually follows is : I 'see' the object. <br /><br />Re: Consciousness: The word Consciousness in Advaita and Neuroscience undoubtedly point to different things. Neuroscience is still grapling with the issue, as I already indicated. The statements as given by Cos Mic are from the Advaitic standpoint and are absolutely indisputable.<br /><br />RE: The brain scans: The main point made in the suggestion regarding brain scans of a Jivanmukta is this:<br />The "realization" of a Jivanmukta is totally confined to that specific individual and is happening within him/her. Would "realization" of Truth leave a foot-print within him/her or not? We may not look so much for a thing that is "present" as a foot-print in the brain. It could be the "absence" of certain processes that happen in a normal man (e.g. absence of 'self' node gateway, higher hormonal levels of oxytocin etc. In a Jivanmukta). At this investigative stage no suggestion is being implied about establishing any cause-effect relationships or logical derivations.<br /><br />Thanks and regardsRamesam Vemurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13670447320400400816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5211673002367960332.post-43102318773408695202009-12-01T18:18:24.396-08:002009-12-01T18:18:24.396-08:00A few points..
1) On Pt 4 above: How can a "...A few points..<br /><br />1) On Pt 4 above: How can a "me" thought that sees and provides continuity? Clearly thoughts cannot see. Consciousness is aware of thoughts. Its consciousness or a sense of presence that provides continuity. "you" can observe it yourself very easily - dont need much Sadhana/practise to observe this simple fact.<br /><br />2) Is consciousness really in us or we are in consciousness? You can see this for yourself if you just observe for a few seconds. If you want to address is logically... clearly consciousness has no form, so how can it be caught inside our body. It must be oozing out in that case!<br /><br />Approaching nonduality from a logical mind is ok to the extent that it will lead you soon to understand that a) logic cannot explain the whole universe - clearly universe haslogic and illogical stuff. Otherwise theconcept of logic would not be valid! So if universe/creation has illogic, you cannot use just logic to understand it. 2) Mind is finite. How can it comprehend that infinite.<br /><br />However, if you focus on just awareness/ consciousness "you' (as consciousness, not the thought 'me') can be/know reality.<br /><br />Cheers.Cos Michttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07916081298341119710noreply@blogger.com