from UNFOLDING MEANING, David Bohm
92 "The problem of conceiving of a universe that can refer consistently to itself has long been a difficult one that has not been resolved in a really adequate way. But the field of meaning can refer to itself, and of course, it also presupposes the context of the universe to which it also refers. Meaning, though, has nevertheless been regarded as peculiar to our own minds and not as a proper part of aspect of the objective universe. However if there is a generalized kind of meaning intrinsic to the universe, including our own bodies and minds, then the way may be opened to understanding the whole as self-referential through its 'meaning for itself' -- in other words, by whatever reality is. And the universe as we now conceive it may not be the whole thing."
92-93 "The aspect of soma cannot be divided from the aspect of significance. Whatever meanings there may be 'in our minds', these are, as we have seen, inseparable from the totality of our somatic structures and therefore from what we are. So what we are depends crucially on the total set of meanings that operates 'within us'. Any fundamental change in meaning is a change in being for us. Therefore any transformation of consciousness must be a transformation of meaning. Consciousness is its content -- that is its meaning. In a way, we could say that we are the totality of our meanings."
94 " … because it is only when one's purpose or intention changes that a new meaning can be realized. Then, often in a flash that seems to take no time at all, a coherent new whole of meaning is formed, within which the older meanings may be comprehended as having a limited validity within their proper context."
94 "Now if meaning is an intrinsic part of not only our reality but reality in general, then I would say that a perception of a new meaning constitutes a creative act. As their implications are unfolded, when people take them up, work with them, and so on, the new meanings that have been created make their corresponding contributions to this reality. And these are not only in the aspect of significance but also in the aspect of soma. That is, the situation changes physically as well as mentally."
LAY That is, when you change the mind, you change the physical universe; and when you change the physical, you change your mind.
94 "Therefore each perception of a new meaning by human beings actually changes the over-all reality in which we live and have our existence -- sometimes in a far-reaching way. … But once you actually see the new meaning and take hold of your intention, reality has changed. No further act is needed."
94-95 "Seeing something intellectually or abstractly, though, will not change your intention. You may say that you need an act of will to change it, but I think that when you really see something deeply with great energy, no further act of will is needed. If you really see a new meaning to be true, then your intention will change -- unless there is something blocking it, such as your conditioning, or the 'program'. And if something is blocking it, then the will is not going to help, because you don't know what the block is. Therefore you have to see the meaning of the block. So choice and will are of limited significance -- valid in certain areas. But I think something deeper is needed if you are discussing the transformation of mind or consciousness or matter -- they really all change together."
LAY Perhaps this means that SOS alone will not change your meaning or your experience or the fundamental reality. Why? Because SOS is not fundamental reality: it is SYNTHETIC REALITY! MYTHICAL REALITY!
95 "You see, the deep change of meaning is a change in the deep material structure of the brain as well, and this unfolds into further changes. Every time you think, the blood distribution all over the brain changes; every emotion changes it. Between thinking and the somatic activity there is also a tremendous connection with the heartbeat and the chemical constitution of the blood, and so on. The new meaning will produce different thought and therefore possibly an entirely different functioning of the brain.
95 "we already know that certain meanings can greatly disturb the brain, but other meanings may organize it in new ways. And when the brain comes to a new state, new ideas become possible. But the new meaning is what organizes the new state. If the brain holds the old meanings, then it cannot change its state. The mental and the physical are one. A change in the mental is a change in the physical, and a change in the physical is a change in the mental. … … So instead of saying that when we see a new meaning we make a choice and then act, we say that the perception and realization of the new meaning in our intention is already the change.
104 "But I think the most fundamental things cannot be defined; we can unfold them, but we can't define them."
LAY Why can we not define "the most fundamental things"? Because, fundamental reality is infinite and therefore not subject to the finite SOS. The infinite experience is prior to the finite experience just as the infinite set is prior to the finite set. Define means describing with SYNTHETIC TERMS, etc. How may we unfold fundamental meaning or fundamental things? Is it by way of deep seeing?
104 " … 'energy', if we are looking at meaning as being fundamental, is a product of the meaning.
"Bohm: Yes. They work together. You see, again, these are three aspects of one whole flow. We distinguish them for the sake of thought in order to show relationships, …"
LAY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN APPEARANCES gives a deeper reflection of reality than the one alone. The same as with all these meanings.
"Now we usually say that we have the appearance of things which shows up in the senses, and then we have our deeper thoughts which give the essence. That's one view. But if you look at it carefully, you will see that these thoughts are also appearances. They are limited, and so on. So you could say that the relationship between these two appearances gives a deeper reflection of reality than the one alone. The same, you see, as with all these meanings, right?"
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