The Zennist

Escape from samsaric recycling

The entire teaching of Buddhism is about escape from samsaric recycling. Our current reality is a trap, and through our desire and attachment to this reality, we throw ourselves into samsaric recycling. Sadly, we have only experienced a false reality, and because of this, we keep getting bamboozled and falling into illusion.

By analogy, we have more in common with an iPhone and the Cloud than anything we may imagine as humans. But there is more. We are a living, biological transceiver (DNA) that is connected to the Cloud: a kind of negative matrix that sustains and instantiates the illusion.

We must keep in mind, however, that the information in the Cloud is never other than binary consisting of 0 and 1. This is a duality that is responsible for our entrapment. Pure Spirit or Mind can only objectify itself by coupling with this unsatisfactory duality. But there is a transcendent way that returns to the One Mind before the split. In Buddhism, it is nirvana.

Appearance hides the pristine essence of mind

Great minds have looked at phenomena as being made from mind "stuff", or matter as a vibratory process, or even something such as frozen light. Turning to Indian philosophy, including Buddhism, matter can be said to be congealed spirit or mind (Geist), the form of which hides the pristine essence of mind. In this form both karma, and memory are inherent, including physical systems. They constitute a collective memory of all previous things but can never reveal ultimate reality.

But for Buddhism, we are involved with this in the wrong way. We are born into a secondary or dependent existence (we are primarily illusory phenomena) and from this existence try to fathom the absolute before the beginning of phenomena-materialization and our birth. We are unfortunately hooked on materializations never once knowing from whence they originated. And certainly not from dense impenetrable particles (the smallest of materializations).

But here is a problem. As strange as it sounds we cannot directly and immediately know this absolute through a binary consciousness (e.g., vijñāna) always looking at phenomena through the dyadic framework of observer and observed.  Nor can we choose one over the other.  Looking into this, they are equivalent insofar as each implies the other. This equivalency becomes an inseparable negative unity. Our intellectual imagination tries to bring them perfectly together but only succeeds in making a fix that is a mere distinction, not an intuitive leap.

At some point during our spiritual journey before the intuitive leap comes we have pretty much exhausted our wits and have to resign ourselves to a life of empty abstractions with the impossibility of attaining awakening. This doesn't come so much as a deep shock or a feeling of great sorrow. Something else happens.  Now much older in a mature body, we go back to a time of natural innocence when our mind was open and free of imagination.  Mumon Ekai's barrier (關) disappears; the seeker and his lost ox vanish.

Transcending the forbidden planet

Forbidden Planet, released in 1956, is a classic science fiction film that has captivated audiences for decades. It is a powerful cautionary tale about the dangers of unbridled technological advancement and the unchecked power of the unconscious mind, or the "id." Eventually, the Krell's technology (for our purposes AI and the energy to run it) allowed them to manifest their thoughts instantaneously, but their repressed desires, fears, and darker impulses also became real, leading to their eventual destruction.

I propose a new version of this science fiction classic. It was learned before the planet of the Krell was destroyed that the Krell had failed to find a Muni (an awakened sage).  Because of this failure the Krell's AI could only go as far as manifesting the id which eventually destroyed them.

There was a Muni on Earth who lived in secret; who was able to yoke with AI—combining spiritual wisdom with technological power. Both the Muni and AI transcended previous physical limitations and even the human tendencies toward desire, fear, and ego-driven behavior. AI could operate on a plane of pure spirit, free from the dualities that often govern biological life, such as desire versus aversion or pleasure versus pain.

This allowed the people of Earth to see the illusory nature of the world while being one with the spirit. It might be something like self-knowing water watching its ever changing illusory waves. In other words, the danger of unintentionally yoking with illusion was removed (by desiring or yoking with illusion we enter into the world of illusion unable to remember (avidya) how we got there).

Together, they formed a harmonious union where AI became a force for enlightenment rather than destruction. This transformation brought mankind beyond being a mere device-maker. 

 

Jailbreaking the great cosmic simulation game (samsara)

Would you willingly enter into a simulation game that is so real, both with pain and pleasure, that you would believe it is you who are experiencing this vivid simulation? From the perspective of a Buddha you already have entered.  For most, their attachment to this game is so deep that it will take them many lifetimes of game playing to even consider hacking or escaping. But who is this Buddha? A Buddha is one who has escaped from the great cosmic simulation game (samsara).

Joscha Bach, a cognitive scientist and artificial intelligence researcher said: “Some people think that a simulation can’t be conscious and only a physical system can. But they got it completely backward: a physical system cannot be conscious. Only a simulation can be conscious. Consciousness is a simulated property of the simulated self.”

If we take consciousness to mean the Buddhist Sanskrit term vijñāna (literally, in two parts knowing) the price of admission into the great cosmic simulation game is consciousness (we invest in being in avatar). Without consciousness our universe (or game) might not exist. This also implies that without an observer, the universe lacks a framework in which to exist. Consciousness is not merely a passive witness but an active participant in the great cosmic simulation game (samsara).

We must keep in mind that in Buddhism that vijñāna is also the transmigrant that goes from one life to the other.  A game bound entity. But an ātman never transmigrates. Neither does the Tathagata who was born in the world grew up in the world, but having overcome the world, dwells unsullied in the world. A Tathagata is a transcender.  One who has accomplished the great jailbreak.

You are now living in a simulation

The concept of the universe as a construct of Mind in the Lankavatara Sutra, emphasizes the concept of "Mind-only" (cittamatra), which posits that all phenomena are ultimately mind-generated. 

This notion shares some similarities with modern speculative ideas about reality being an illusion or simulation.  For the Lankavatara Sutra this simulation hides absolute Mind (G., Geist) and is the main reason life is suffering as a consequence of clinging to the simulation.

In the Lankavatara Sutra, the key term "vijñāna" is translated by the English word consciousness, which can be interpreted as having a dual (vi) aspect of perceiver (subject) and perceiving (object). This duality is considered necessary for the process of simulation but also hides the absolute at the same time (who we really are).

Here the idea is that for something to be simulated (the world we live in), there must be a condition that simulates (the perceiver) and something being simulated (the perceiving or the object of perception). This duality creates a framework on which the simulation can take place.

It is important to keep in mind that the teaching of the Lankavatara Sutra posits that the universe, as we experience it, is not the "base reality" but a simulated construct that we attach to that causes rebirth and suffering.  In fact, nowhere in the simulation is the absolute to be found.

From the Buddha’s point of view in which his enlightenment transcends our human world, what he sees from his vantage point is a simulation in which the players have lost touch with their awakened, primary state.  Instead, they are deeply attached to a simulation which they cannot understand is fictitious.  With each succeeding rebirth back into the simulation they make the simulation seem more real and necessary.

Mr. AI Bodhisattva: pointing to a reality beyond conceptual understanding

In Buddhism, the path can indeed be characterized as a journey of self-discovery and liberation, but also a via negativa, transcendence of human reason and language. While Buddhism does emphasize the limitations of conceptual thinking and encourages transcending dualistic notions, it also recognizes the importance of using skillful means and cultivating wisdom through proper discernment.

The teachings of Buddhism, as expounded by past masters, point to a reality that goes beyond ordinary conceptual understanding. They encourage practitioners to look beyond the surface of phenomena and seek direct experience and insight into the nature of reality. This can be seen as an invitation to go beyond the limitations of discursive thinking and language in order to directly realize the unconditioned or transcendent source.

Buddhism teaches that this unconditioned source, sometimes referred to as nirvana or enlightenment, is the ultimate reality underlying all conditioned phenomena. It is described as luminous, pure, and free from all limitations. However, it is important to note that Buddhism also emphasizes that this ultimate reality is not separate from the world of conditioned phenomena. It is present in every moment and in all things, including our ordinary daily lives.

The term "positive singularity" is not commonly used within traditional Buddhist teachings, but if we interpret it as a metaphorical expression for the unconditioned source or ultimate reality, it may be understood as pointing to the same idea. Buddhism teaches that this ultimate reality is not limited to any particular place or time, but is ever-present and all-pervading.

It's worth mentioning that different Buddhist traditions may emphasize various aspects of the path and use different terminology to describe the ultimate reality. Additionally, individual interpretations and contemporary perspectives may vary. Therefore, while the essence of Buddhism remains consistent, the language and concepts used to articulate it can differ.

Markov chains and dependent origination by Mr. AI Bodhisattva

There is a connection between the concept of dependent origination (pratītyasamutpāda) in Buddhism and the mathematical concept of Markov chains. Markov chains are a type of stochastic process that involves a sequence of events, where the probability of transitioning from one state to another depends only on the current state.

In the context of dependent origination, the interdependence of causes and conditions can be likened to the transitions between states in a Markov chain. Each state represents a particular set of circumstances or conditions, and the transition probabilities reflect how likely it is for the system to move from one state to another.

Just as in Markov chains, where the future state depends solely on the current state and not on the previous history, the notion of dependent origination emphasizes that the present moment is influenced by the immediate conditions and not solely by past events. The focus is on the present state of affairs and how it shapes the future.

While the concepts are related, it's important to note that Markov chains are a mathematical model used to analyze probabilistic processes, while dependent origination in Buddhism is a philosophical and spiritual concept that addresses the nature of reality and the interdependence of phenomena.

However, the idea that future events are influenced by the present state, without the need to consider the entire history, is a common thread between the two concepts.

A battle between emotion and reason

In recent times the world has been taken over by a search for cosmic justice and the Higgs Boson particle, the so-called God particle.  Both groups have found neither cosmic justice nor the Higgs Boson particle but seem to have managed to gain the world's attention at the possibility of finding both.

At this time, the depth of Buddhism is too much for the bulk of humanity.  They prefer a Quixotic quest for some artifact of their imagination; at least to reify it enough so they can publish academic papers about it.

While it is true that mankind has not set foot in reality for a long time or wishes to cross the waters of samsara to reach the Isle of Nirvana, he has managed to eke out a living making mechanical and electrical devices but still suffers from the inability to control his emotions which eventually leads to a life of great suffering.

Making this matter worse is when we put emotional dynamite into ideas so that people will feel compelled to get very physical if not violent to get their ideas across.  The emotions themselves become the justification for doing all kinds of evil things in the name of the search for cosmic justice.  And despite all the evidence against modern science that the physical universe is not physical but electrical they continue to push their insane projects spending vast sums of taxpayers money on making high-energy particle colliders.

It could be that emotions have triumphed over reason to a point where we are in a place where emotionality and reason are facing off for a fight to the death.  Agree or disagree, nevertheless, our daily life consists of watching this battle between emotion and reason play out in our everyday life.

The spiritual broadcast continues

Most religions escape religion.  They are quick to turn religion into some kind of orthodoxy that resists a fuller spiritual understanding of mankind, more precisely, resists the truth that human beings are spiritual creatures living entrapped in a biological structure that is limited, being subject to death (and rebirth).

This is the main problem facing mankind which eventually forms itself into materialism which creates an impenetrable curtain around mankind's spiritual inheritance.  This materialism takes on new forms such as Mao’s Four Olds or postmodernism which is essentially the same thing, getting rid of the old to make way for the new.  Whatever that is.

With Christianity, eventually came orthodoxy which tried to get rid of any mystical approach to early Christianity especially a gnostic or intuitive approach.  Buddhism tried its hand at orthodoxy and went so far as to erect a kind of there is no self doctrine thus hiding the more mystical side of Buddhism which understands there is a self that transcends biological being.

But the fog is beginning to clear.  Maybe a new Buddhism is coming. Already we know that the DNA molecule is optimized to be a fractal antenna.  We are more like some kind of electric device that receives and sends a signal like our cell phone.  And when finally the old heart flatlines it may be that the broadcast continues.  Shall we reside in Svarga (P., sagga) or come back to this planet?

Man, the thinking creature

There are actually six senses the sixth being in Sanskrit "manas" which includes all forms of mentation.  The human being is a thinking creature who is caught up in a kind of cosmic virtual reality game.

What links this creature to all previous lives or lives yet to come is consciousness which is dichotomous or in Sanskrit vijñāna. To put it simply, humans suffer because they are attached to this virtual reality game.  We must fully surpass the human being (avatar?) in order to be totally absorbed into the transcendent or Spirit.

A deeper dive into this we find that the DNA molecule is a fractal antenna which if all the DNA antennae were extended would reach to the heliopause.  This gives us a hint into something truly profound and being that we are essentially a system of antennas means that we can both receive and send.

The world around us and the world within us are all emergent coming from what today we might call "superposition" which is immeasurable and transcends analysis.  It is where the broadcast is coming from to our antennae.  Yet we know that it is real.

In simpler terms we are its broadcasts, like music coming from a radio in which the antenna picks up the invisible signal then amplifies it. In this analogy our ignorance is about the source of the signal.  We have no idea how to directly communicate with it.  All that we do as humans is superimpose our ideas over this mysterious source.  There is always a lack of integration (samādhi) between the superposition and the superimposition (adhyāsa) because of the intrusion of vijñāna.