Merry meet!
I haven’t had much time to indulge my YouTube addiction lately, but I did enjoy this quick philosophy video during afternoon tea yesterday. It’s a very interesting topic exploring consciousness and a theory that everything within the cosmos may have some level or form of consciousness.
The video is by The Well and British Neuropsychiatrist Iain McGilchrist.
For those without the time to watch, some of the main points explored are:
- The theory of everything being conscious aligns with the idea of universal interconnectedness: everything is connected
- There is a theory that the brain is a physical filter allowing us to tap into a universal consciousness shared by all, and express it in our distinct way
- Those “aha!” moments creatives experience may be moments of deep connection with the cosmic consciousness
I’m not sure I agree with all the points made in the video (I’m firmly of the belief that those “aha” moments come as part of the rigorous work, and I’m still not 100% sold on natural formations like rocks and mountains being “conscious” - but the idea of different forms/definitions of consciousness is an interesting one).
As a pagan, I see philosophers and scientists explore interconnectedness and I feel it relates right back to the spiritual belief of “As Above, So Below”. Seeing this idea spread out and be explored across discplines is neat, and only further enhances the theory: it seems it really is all connected! 
Do you think there is consciousness in everything? Or that there might be a universal conscious we could all tap into?
Would love to encourage some spiritual philosophy - please feel free to share your thoughts! 
Blessed be 
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This is sort of what I believe in. The conscious mind is like the tip of the iceberg. Big and noticeable. But the subconscious mind is like the iceberg beneath the waterline, which is even bigger and goes deep into the ocean. And the ocean is the Universe, and all of us are floating in the ocean. I don’t know if the ocean notices the icebergs, but the currents in it still moves the icebergs around.
I know, that’s sort of simplified, but that’s how I’ve always understood it. The mental images makes sense to me. While there are lots of oceans, they’re all connected and on one planet. The water that was near the Arctic gets down to Australia eventually.
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Thank you for posting this, Bry. I like to listen to these kinds of premises. It puts me right back into college philosophy class where so much would be lobbed out there, and discussion or a great lecture would follow.
I do like the idea of the universal consciousness, though I’m not certain that every “inanimate” object has a consciousness. But there’s proof that at the molecular level, those molecules and atoms are moving rapidly, so there’s a science behind this assertion.
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” - Pablo Picasso
He agreed with you there. 
I could listen to these kinds of philosophical arguments every day. 
There’s so much out there we don’t understand! We don’t have to agree with them all, but I love hearing them!
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Thankyou for sharing, very interesting. In answer to your question. 
I think there is a consciousness in all matter - in a sense of reciprocity and accountability. Let’s look at rocks, rocks have a necessity, they are the foundation we stand on, if we disrespect that foundation as dead, we destroy the foundation that keeps us alive. If we look at the world today, because modernity has trained current generations to view the world as a dead thing to be consumed, the world is in a terrible state. To view everything as conscious and alive teaches us humility, respect and honour and this enables us to leave a lasting legacy.
Philosophy is ok, I listen to it but sometimes I feel it’s a human deflection on what really matters; which is how we treat each other and our home, less time in our heads analysing and more time with our hands doing, philosophers pontificate alot (boy that’s a big word for me, lol, this must be Loki’s view 
) if I make sense (I don’t always make sense 
).
Yep Loki wrote this cuz this is him
And this is me.
Skal 
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I am not very good at articulating myself I think it but can’t get my thoughts on paper I thought I would share this video on how I think about Interconnected Consciousness of the Cosmo (Everything is connected)
Are We All One? – The Buddhist View on Interconnectedness
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You know I always love a good analogy! This is beautiful 
I think the ocean as a metaphor is especially good because you’re right - all the oceans, even with their different names and the varied sealife that lives in them - are all connected on the greater scale 
This point has become a brain worm in my mind! I’m not up to date on the latest findings in the study of consciousness (I just catch the odd YT philosophy video here and there!), but I wonder about the association with movement (or even a step up: perceived intelligence) with consciousness. How can we know that, just because something moves or displays a level of self-preservation, it is “conscious”? 
Oh, philosophy! As usual, it seems to lead to more questions than answers - but that’s part of the fun of it!
I’m right there with you, Picasso!
Me too, Feathertip! Philosophy tickles the brain in a fun way 
This is beautifully written and really displays the positive effects of viewing everything as concious The world is a happier, healthier, and better place when people care about it! What you wrote also reminds me that the interconnectedness ties well into the belief of animism - that everything is alive/has a soul/is conscious (details depending on the tradition of animism). Those who sense the “aliveness” of the planet are able to connect with it in ways that people who view it as “dead” may not be as easily able to. It’s all wonderful food for thought.
I agree. Thoughts and learning are very important, but then we need to take those revelations and knowledge and apply it to our lives. That’s the only way to improve not only our own lives, but the lives of others and the world (and, on an even greater level, the cosmos - especially when we are connected to it). Change can happen at any level, but change with action is most powerful 
Thank you for sharing the video, Moonstruck! I spent a bit of time living at Buddhist Temples and studying, especially Zen practices. I definitely think you’re right that some of the core principles of Buddhist philosophy tie into interconnectedness
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Glad you liked it! I can’t remember where I got that. I think it was back when that Sylvia Browne was on Montel Williams. LOL!
Thanks for this! I haven’t watched it yet but I’m looking forward to it this afternoon when I have brain power.
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