On Being an Independent Thinker
With so much information being thrust every direction, how might one become and remain an independent thinker?
The experience of connection and interconnection with all that exists is transcendent from self and provides a glimpse of Self in manifestation. However, connection experienced reflects distinction between self and other as in a connection between two or more parts. Such experiences reflect the transition we undergo between self, the human condition, and Self, theDivine Condition. Self, in realization and full manifestation, renders no distinction between parts, as there are no parts existing in separation. Hence, there are no parts to connect. Thus, as Self, rather than connection, the experience of being is being everything. Anáma-Rúpam. Ω
Prior to addressing the question regarding becoming and remaining an independent thinker, I must elucidate conceptually what it means to be independent. Independence requires a condition such that reliance upon another does not exist. Relative to thinking, independence infers that one's thinking occurs separate from the influence, control, or guidance of another. I submit that insofar as we cannot exist separate from the environment perceived, we cannot actually exist in a true state of independence consistent with the conceptualization offered. If I were to exist in isolation, I submit that as a likely result, I would create an other based upon my own nature. Hence, in isolation from others within the human condition, self and other exists despite both being constructs of a single mind proper. I further submit that as everything perceived cannot be mentally constructed separate from the mind, everything is in fact a construct of the mind. Thus, from these constructs I develop perceived reality and derive meaning and context for other and self. In terms of thinking, I contend that such cognitive efforts are an implicit process of constructing perceived reality and responding to the same. Thus, insofar as other exists in perceived reality, thinking cannot be independent from other. That is, in response to that which I perceive and attend to, I must derive understanding. From such understanding I am contextualizing, interpreting, and evaluating. Insofar as I perceive and attend to other, I must therefore think on other as a response. Therefore, thinking as conceptualized here will always be in response to the contextualization process and thus dependent upon other for that context.
Hence, as described above, within the human condition, a true state of independence cannot exist. However, to extend independence in inference to being free from the latent and inherent conditioning we ourselves are subject to by virtue of our existence and our existence relative to other and the environment, independence from the implicit influential process we submit ourselves to is possible. That is, each individual's construction of reality in the human condition is subject to the implicit influences one commits to oneself relative to their subscription to culture, gender, position, role, etc; e.g., lens. How is it that independence can be achieved? I contend that resistance is indeed futile in that it creates conflict and an opposite reaction. Likewise, I submit that apathetic acceptance of such conditioning merely serves to surrender to self and this condition all that is Self.
How is it can one become free and remain an independent thinker as described herein? Upon the illumination of that which is not known or illumed, there is transformation. That is, by developing awareness through sensitivity to that which we are subscribing, the nature of awareness facilitates consciousness. In consciousness, we derive willful intent relative to that which we experience and have assumed as being an influence. Inasmuch, providing attention and awareness is persistently concerted, the nature of influence unfolds, and we become aware that in fact relative to that which we perceive, we are the sole influencer of self. In such awareness, such influence dissipates and thus conditioning falls away. Consequently, perceived reality is fundamentally changed thereby prompting further transformation of self eventually leading to supplanting self for Self in the Divine Condition.
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