My guess is that there are spontaneous experiences that happen before we make up stories.

I suppose you could say that our spontaneous reactions are shaped by our previous experience and so influenced by our story. But at the time they are spontaneous I think.

It is possible (though perhaps not desirable) to view everything indifferently but this takes intense training (and I’m not sure would be desirable if possible).

This is my take on things. Does it make sense to you or do you experience things differently to this?
.-= Evan´s last blog ..Living Authentically =-.

Lovely comment full of interesting ideas! I was wondering about the ‘primary experience’ that you describe so eloquently: “the intake of breath
when we see beauty.”

I’m wondering whether that sudden intake of breath that signals surprise and awe happens BEFORE we make up a story about the experience. That is, BEFORE we tell ourselves that the sunset is ‘magnificent’ or ‘dull’.

Those evaluations seem to me to be a ‘secondary experience’.

What do you think, Evan?

If the others of this series are just as difficult, I’m in for a hard time…eeek!

As to stories – I agree with what you say. They are important – but as you say so eloquently, “They are not, however, the full reality, and why I say that is that we should never trust them as full and open reality, comprehensive, or expressing the fullness of truth.”

And still…I have an open mind about the value or otherwise of stories. I look forward to your guest post – maybe some more clarity about stories will emerge.

[Everyone - I've asked Kirk to write a guest post for us. You'll see- he's really something!]

You say, “I think the key is to recognize what our skills and talents are and use them to help make the world better.” Great stuff!

I love his ideas. But the way he write is terribly obscure. It’s so rare to find academics who can actually WRITE…