--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Vaj <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >
Since subtlety of meditation and the length or depth of meditation are measurable, presumably we can have some physical measurement. But can physical instruments capture the full breadth of what a person can experience? I think not. While I would be careful of assigning existence to phenomenon of any kind, certain subjective phenomenon have been repeatedly and predictably used for ascertaining refinement of perception for millenia. Perhaps what we need to realize is that "objective science" has it's limitations in the limitations of Scientific Materialist Dogma (reductionism and objectivism esp.). What is needed--and throughly robust side-by-side- -is a pure subjective science. It is this pure subjective science that the pioneers of "contemplative science" (contemplative neuroscience and contemplative psychology) are attempting to bridge. With that paradigm shift could come a new species of evidence altogether. All subtlety of meditation would prove is that we are capable of having high-resolution and vivid perception, it really wouldn't tell us any more objectively than that, other than it might have side benefits like reduction of negative emotions and so on. When combined with other attitudes outside of meditation proper, it can extend them into inter-meditational periods however and benefit overall living. I don't know of any research on angels per se, but IME these are largely considered nyams or meditational experiences, but there are exceptions of course. ------------ The new contemplative science will function no differently the old; both are formal representations references, they point to something else. The difference is between having pain and hearing about pain. One is certain, the other arguable - the new paradigm only guarantees your further addiction to new evidence. I'll flag the humanities once more: A meticulously crafted aria seeks embodiment. Its purpose, though music and story, is to allow the listener the pleasure of discovery. The ear provides the heart with the opportunity to experience an essential aspect of its own being. The listener understands, however momentarily, that contained within her own consciousness are the potentialities for her own auricular brilliance. The aria is not a reference, but a lived experience. ---------------
