PHILOSOPHY

Continuum of Thought

A Mode of Thought Akin to Infinity

Thought as We Know It

All thinking is associative in modern civilization. One thought is associated with the next thought, and the next thought, and so on…

You may have noticed polarized thinking in many public arenas, like social media. The arena, once an area for discussion, is a boxing ring. Us versus Them — is an example of dualistic polarized thought in action. The United States of America is more fractious in part due to a two-party political system. The two-party system used to be about compromise to get some things that many people wanted. Now that is very different — polarized, contentious, and dangerous.

The authors of “Factfulness” a book recommended by Bill Gates and the TED talk (below) go beyond the bias of dualistic informational sets. Dualistic information based on data from the 1950s and 60s became many people’s mindsets even to today.

My intuition tells me that polarized visions present simple pictures of the world. This is true in the USA, and in other developed countries. Old or distorted information is an affront to critical thinking.

Absolute Thinking

When I was a child to young adulthood I thought of “things” like enlightenment as an absolute. One day in the dark, relatively speaking, and the next (Ta-Da) Enlightened. And once enlightened I would be all set — no more problems. Or problems easily solved, and I would be blissful all the time. Bizst — Wrong Answer! Employing an old adage:

Chop wood, carry water. Become enlightened. Chop wood, carry water.

Flow

As you already know Enlightenment means to light illuminating. An enlightened person sees themselves and others completely with compassionate love and acceptance.

How is this different than being an empath?

An empath feels others’ feelings — good, the rainbow of variety as in good mixed with mediocre, and bad. This happens without discrimination. A developing empath learns better boundaries. We learn through discrimination and flexible boundaries. Emotions that belongs to others. We learn from emotions that act a teacher. Determining the emotions that need neutralizing. These are some of the skills of a developing empath.

Paths to Enlightenment

We become more enlightened with each awakening. We see our illusions. We face dislike in ourselves with love, compassion, and light. We may embrace people who have committed bad acts with compassion. Or we may repudiate evil. At the high end of continuum thinking we come to see Light illuminating all illusions.

Continuum thinking knows Being is a state of non-doing. It is a state of feeling collected. Being exists without time. A first step in seeing and shedding illusions may allow Being State consciousness. A long-term meditative practice and/or inner spiritual practices may invoke Being States. It could be that Being States may open a door to enlightenment.

Transcending Dualistic/Polarized Thinking

Dualistic/Polarized Thought is a perfect fit for associative thought. Because we all think in associations it’s easy to fall into an us versus them mindset.

A first step may start with watching the TED talk above and/or reading Factfulness. In the book, four choices are presented beyond the dualistic two.

Continuum thinking happens in two ways. It often begins with a question that cannot be completely answered. These are questions that may inspire us on a lifelong quest for learning. The quest usually begins on a continuum of thought in finite time/reality. The quest can cross over into the infinite of the present moment and back to the finite. The art of questions and answers, especially answers that prompt more questions originates with Socrates. It is known as the Socratic Method.

The second way is through the practice of presence. There are many ways to practice presence. Long-term spiritual practices, meditation, sacred dances, and so on…

When the first way and the second way are blended a third way may appear. Once it appears, consider yourself lucky. If it doesn’t appear then cultivate it. Practice it. The third way or force is self-observation.

Self-observation is grounded in my body and can blend the energy of the heart and mind to create a compassionate objective witness to all the shadow parts, warts, the faults that I don’t care to look at.

Working Conclusions (Subject to Revision)

We can train ourselves to see a rainbow of possible alternatives to dualistic thinking. Like many things worthwhile it takes practice to develop a new habit. Sometimes my automatic/knee-jerk reaction is to fall into an Us versus Them reaction. That’s why I practice continuum thinking.

Continuum thinking takes one principle from the scientific method of continued testing before a solid conclusion is reached. It leaves room for continued testing and challenging results as new information becomes available.

Continuum thinking moves beyond dualistic judgments into more possibilities because it explodes the either/or dualistic fight mode. Once I let go of being right or wrong my thinking gets to expand. Thinking outside the box takes another leap when we eliminate the box.

Additional Reading:

Thanks for reading and allowing to stretch beyond dualistic parameters. Welcome to a wider world with expansive possibilities. Comments and dialog welcomed.

Blessings, Passion,Love, and Grace on your journey.

May whatever or whomever your looking for — find you.

(If you do NOT wish to be tagged, let me know, and I’ll tag you not):

Dougfrombk | Alison Hollingsead | Rebecca Romanelli | Joseph Lieungh | Dr Mehmet Yildiz | Kris Bedenian | Alberto García 🚀🚀🚀 | Blaine Coleman | DL Nemeril | Rip Parker | Annelise Lords | Melanie J. | Marcus aka Gregory Maidman