Metaphysics, mysticism and meditation

Radicalisation of Existence and Identity (Part #11)

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Clearly there is a long tradition of consideration of a process of "cognitive stripping" in response to conventional illusion. How this relates to radicalisation and daimonisation remains to be explored. The matter is nevertheless highly relevant to particular forms of religious fundamentalism. Many clues are offered by the associated disciplines (Navigating Alternative Conceptual Realities: clues to the dynamics of enacting new paradigms through movement, 2002). Some are reviewed in the associated annexes (Metaphoric Entrapment; Clues to Movement and Attitude Control; Clues to 'Ascent' and 'Escape').

Of particular relevance is the existential directness of engagement with transcendent reality acclaimed by some perspectives, notably Islam. Also relevant is the significance attributed by Buddhism to the so-called emptiness of form, or the so-called cloud of unknowing of Christian mysticism. As noted in these respects, there is a degree of recognition of the necessity of apophasis and modes of unsaying -- separately discussed in relation to other understandings of identity (Being What You Want: problematic kataphatic identity vs. potential of apophatic identity? 2008). Destructive consequences clearly ensue when variants are understood in terms of the necessity of destroying form or framing it as irrelevant -- including the actions of process of suicide bombers. Curiously no attempt is made to engage with the cognitive frameworks of those drawn to this modality. The dangerously simplistic emphasis is on denying its significance and seeking ways to prohibit any such mode of comprehension.

With respect to the argument above for a pattern language of cognitive radicalisation, through which the daimonic might be engaged in some manner, of particular interest is the classic set of 10 Zen ox-herding images. Their progression may be usefully arranged in the following schematic, as discussed separately (Configuring the Varieties of Experiential Nothingness, 2012):

Circular representation of the classic Ten Ox-Herding Pictures of Zen Buddhism

Adaptation into circular form of the traditional linear version in Wikipedia, as derived from Nyogen Senzaki and Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: a collection of Zen and pre-Zen writings (Charles E. Tuttle, 1957)

That set of patterns has also been related to degrees of self-reflexivity in responding to the global problematique (Progressive integration of the shadow of non-self-reflexivity, 2007).

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