Subject/Object Dichotomy?

Question

I understand (in theory) that life is essentially an abstraction that our brains use to represent the world. However, what is this thing that is "I"?
Are there moments when people actually move beyond this duality?

hisglory - that doesn't sound right.
I don't see how forming a belief that Jesus was a form of god who took human flesh and then became a human sacrifice for things that we've done to anger god....I just don't see how that clears up the duality conflict.

vinslave - Very difficult for me to grasp.
I hear myself reading these words in my head...who is that? I can understand that extraneous thoughts arise of themselves and don't comprise the "I", but I can't quite wrap my head around what DOES comprise that which is me.
All of it?
Well, thank you for the good information. It is appreciated.

Answer 1

I suspect most people never bother to examine their personal mental processes and exist solely within their own solipsistic reality. Without realizing it, they imagine their own subjective perceptions are objective reality. Personally, I use rigorous logic and objective truth -- mostly mathematics and the scientific method -- to help me discover objective physical reality.

I think the "I" you speak of is the conscious awareness that arises from my brain's mental model of what it imagines reality must be. The "I" part is inside my own head. Everything else is external and is "other than I."

Sometimes, especially when I'm playing my guitar, I feel like I've transcended my body and I'm watching myself play. It may be only that my body automatically knows what to do, so my brain is free to think of other things, but it feels like I've momentarily escaped the mind/body subject/object duality. Not sure I've properly explained myself, but thanks for the good question.

Peace and Love.............

Answer 2

Yes, there is a moment, it's called "seeing emptiness directly" or also called attaining enlightenment. When you sit and "look for" this object we label as "self" or "I" we can't find one... we're not our atomic structure, we're not our cells, organs or personality, we're a "heap of parts" we LABEL as "I". When you look deeply enough you start to realize that everything within this "heap of parts" we call a "self" is reliant upon the other parts to function properly, the mind relies on the function of the brain and sensory organs, etc. The BODY relies on the correct physical and mental surroundings to function properly (i.e. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs) and those things require the rest of the universe to function a certain way to keep this planet "together" and supporting this microcosm we call "self". The further you go the more you realize the interconnectedness with EVERYTHING around us...

HENCE the logic that when you use altruism and virtuous deeds in all you do, making others happy... you yourself become happy by default. The more you can do so, the happier you become.

"Seeing emptiness directly" is the moment you see both sides of the "coin" at the SAME TIME... that is: that things exist, but they don't exist inherently... "emptiness is form, form is emptiness" and you start, by default, losing your attachments, aversions, etc. to things you USED to label as inherently existing and bringing you "happiness" or "angering you". You develop equanimity.

This takes time and practice, but it can be done. The Buddha did it and many precious lamas after him have accomplished varying levels of the same as well, as can you.

edit/addition: after I posted this, I noticed you'd mentioned "duality" to the other answerer... this is where Eastern philosophy differs... non-dualistic. Equanimity, altruism, wisdom and logic.

_()_

Answer 3

Yes, when they die to themselves and become new creatures in Christ. There were two trees in the garden of Eden. One lead to my way versus the way of God. The other tree, the one that the way to was barred, was God's way. When you understand that then the question resolves itself.

Jesus Christ said "I am the way, the truth, and the life."