Theos-Talk Archives (August 1996 Message tl00415)

Sy Ginsburg writes:
> ATTENTION requires INTENTIONALITY, in the same sense that
>Gurdjieff's "3rd state of consciousness" just does not happen unconsciously
>(except for brief moments accidentally).  Effort is required.  That is my
>experience.

This is also the view of Edmund Husserl. I recommend to anyone interested in
the issue of consciousness, the book "Ideas" by Husserl.   It's a heavy
tome, but in my view more transparent than most theosophical texts. In it,
Husserl derives an entire science of consciousness, and lays down the
methodology and techniques for exploring consciousness.

But then - the question: If we accept that consciousness is "intentional" then:

1. Intentionality, or effort require a sense of the "ego" or "I".

2. Is it at all relevant to discuss consciousness as seperate from the ego,
the way that many theosophists and Krishnamurti do? Personally, I don't
think so, and find K's expression "choiceless awareness" has nothing to do
with consciousness. Many Eastern religions speak of transcending the "ego".
Sure, it can be done - but then once the ego is transcended, is there any
consciousness left?

3. Theosophists also speak of consciousness often as seperate from the body.
Is this again relevant?  Or are we to accept the idea of a disembodied "ego"?

Paul M.M.K.