Dear Reader:
I ask that you contemplate the following... not that that it will lead to some giant realization (but it might), perhaps just an open space that is new to you. You will find what you will find.
So, a simple question (usually the best kind).... do you have a body? We language it as ''I have a body'' not, ''I am a body''. That in itself is interesting, but let's go deeper. How do you know you have a body? Stupid question
, maybe, but give it a little thought. Beyond, ''Hey doodoo, it's obvious!'', I would like to point something out.
The only reason you know your have a body, more accurately, 'think' you have a body, is because your body tells you so. Imagine a bank robber in court giving testimony. When asked, ''Did you rob the bank?'' he replies ''No''. I'm not quite sure what word describes this, but I am going to call it SRV or 'self-referential validation'. Is the judge and jury, assuming for present purposes that's all the evidence submitted, going to dismiss the case or find him innocent because of his SRV? It seems to me that such evidence would not go very far in proving anything at all.
Back to what appears to be 'your' body. You might respond with, ''I can feel my body'' or ''I can look at my body'', or ''I can hear my body and even lick my arm and taste the sweat.'' Does that prove anything, really? Is it not just a sensory experience, and one that is generated by a ''body'' or what appears to be a body? This is the same as the bank robber claiming his own innocent... SRV.
If you ask someone, ''Do I have a body'' they are going to say something like, ''Of course, I am looking at it right now''. And you know they are saying it because YOUR body tells you so, it hears hears them speak. Perhaps you look in a mirror and see a reflection of a body, and naturally conclude, ''This is my body''. Once again, how do you know?
. Isn't it your bodies eyes and a brain process that informs you there is a body.
Please contemplate this; the only reason that you think you have a body is because a body tells you so, via various bodily senses. Perhaps re-read up to this point and contemplate if my meanderings are real for you. All that matters is you and your experiences... and in my experience all those come through a body. You perceive your hates, loves, fears, blessing, absolutely everything through your (or 'a') body. Let that sink in before we tackle the next point.
Out on a limb and pushing the limits... I ask you to imagine where everything you appear to currently experience goes when there is no body. Sounds pretty challenging. Is it impossible? Well, perhaps, but isn't that what imagination if for, to create, embrace, to somehow vicariously experience the (apparently) impossible. In 'infinity' nothing is impossible... absolutely nothing. Play with it and you will find you can make headway.
Contemplate, imagine, experience and let me know what comes up for you.
Much love and stay healthy.
Love ya, Jed.