Chapter 3 - Other Ways of Knowing

Question 1

Reason and logic

Answer 1

When we create a category, we automatically create its opposite; these polarities aren’t different, just two faces of same aspect of reality

Question 2

Change

Answer 2

Not response to a cause, but spontaneous outcome of dynamic interplay between yin and yang

Question 3

Western culture

Answer 3

Continually seek to eliminate negative and increase positive.

Question 4

Yin and yang

Answer 4

We can’t eliminate negative because without it the positive has no meaning. We can’t progress in one direction without natural swing back towards balance. Science of oneness needs to complement one-sided western logic with concept of balance between polar opposites

Question 5

Intuition

Answer 5

Arise from inner world of subconscious minds, relationships with what is known, and connection with spiritual reality including cosmic consciousness
Gaining knowledge by direct perception without reasoning

Question 6

Spiritual knowing

Answer 6

Goes beyond intuition
Sense of being in and connected to universe filled with beauty, mystery and meaning
desire to explore and deepen connection
provokes existential inquiry
instinct to stretch beyond ego boundary and love others

Question 7

Knowing as relationship

Answer 7

To know anything deeply, I must enter into a relationship with it

Question 8

Forms of relationships

Answer 8

I-it - scientific way of knowing, gain info without giving in return
I-thou - personal and engaged; sensual, non-verbal, non-conceptual communication that occurs without conscious awareness other than inner sense

Question 9

Approaches to oneness

Answer 9

“one from the many” - scientific, hierarchical
“the many from the one” - intuitive, allow nature to reveal itself rather than imposing our own theories, open ourselves as intimate parts of phenomenon, encounter as a lover and respond to its whole being - body, mind, emotions and spirit - allowing ourselves to be visible without barriers

Question 10

Goethe

Answer 10

Developed intuitive and holistic approach to science: first look at what he was styding to see it clearly, then relived sensory experience over and over in his imagination, seeking to comprehend without analytical or abstract thought
Belief that every phenomenon is manifestation of potential of deeper reality