Mystic doubt: In search of pure consciousness
Anthropology of Consciousness December 5, 2024 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1111/anoc.12244 via Semantic Scholar
Summary
Transcendental Meditation claims that reality is fundamentally 'pure consciousness.' This essay contrasts TM's doctrine, scientific physicalism, and the author's own meditative experience. While wakeful contentless consciousness occurs, its ontological basis is unclear. The author's introspection does not fit TM dogma. Exploring mystical divine darkness and evidence regimes, the piece proposes 'mystic doubt' or ontological skepticism as an alternative to ontological relativism.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | The author argues that 'mystic doubt' or ontological skepticism is a better framework than ontological relativism for interpreting pure consciousness. |
Abstract
Transcendental Meditation (TM) holds that the essence of reality is “pure consciousness.” This piece contrasts three interpretations of their meditative trance: (i) TM doctrine, and (ii) scientific physicalism, (iii) with my own meditative experience. Pure consciousness events, defined as wakeful contentless consciousness, are known to occur, but what ontological basis do they have? While cosmic consciousness may be the only ontological ultimate there is, my meditative introspection does not neatly align with TM dogma. In search of the right metaphor, this piece journeys over mystical notions of divine darkness, contemplates evidence regimes, and proposes “mystic doubt” or ontological skepticism as an alternative to ontological relativism.