Speaking only from the mystics perspective, from that perspective there are no ends of differing forms of consciousness. Bring on the Pandora Box. When Consciousness is reduced to a concept, the Human experiences goes away. We become nothing more than a bunch of Neurons and cells to be studied in the lab but which do not go into the actual Human experience, as it is experienced. Our Human senses, rather than being alive and vibrant with life and reciprocal perception become mental concepts to read about in a book and studied in a lab.
I believe in both
reductionalism and
holism and they are imperatively complimentary, i.e. one will not be effective without the other,
Yin - Yang.
Therefore it is critical to understand 'consciousness' in both its reduced parts and how it works within a framework and system that is interdependent with other systems.
As such, we are dealing both with theory and the practical in the perspective its contribution to the progress and evolution of the well being of humanity.
You may not know this, but diving into the Pandora Box is that place where the Mystic dwells. It's a welcomed place for the Mystic. One definition of mysticism that I've come across is that it's that point where two opposing dichotomies merge and become one. The rational mind will have a difficult time understanding that.
As mentioned I believed in 'Unity within Diversity' in the net positive contribution to the well being of humanity.
So it not just two opposing dichotomies but the whole gamut of same and different forces coming together with mutual interests as a team within framework and systems, i.e. Team-Humanity.
At present the mystics are an elitist group of people and many prefer to be ascetics. This is very personal and selfish, so in what way can they contribute to the majority of people.
Thus the only effective way is for researchers and dig into the mechanics and processes of the mind of the mystics to explore ways that can be easily replicated objectively for the masses to benefit.
It's still appearing to me from all that you've written that you know about Mysticism by studying it from the outside. But that you really don't know Mysticism from the inside. That you haven't put yourself into the Consciousness of a Mystic to see what can be experienced from their perspective. I may be wrong in that, but it's sure appearing so.
As mentioned I believe in theory and practice [most critical] thus I had done the necessary practices and have experienced what is to expected to be experienced of a mystic or spiritual person. Generally one will not be so absorb into the theory without the accompanying personal experiences to reinforce what is learned in theory.
Both my theory and practice is aimed with a vision at perpetual peace for the whole of humanity.
Note Kant's
Perpetual Peace: A Philosophical Sketch - Wikipedia
and my approach include the essential development of the human faculties and consciousness [brain wise] for the majority.
At present you seem to be interested in feeling mystical for your own personal interests and self?
Your interests in merely in the feelings [which is very subjective], i.e. experiencing the feelings without really understanding its essence, mechanics and processes.
The experiences of mysticism is very subjective and there is a possibility that one's experience could be due to some mental issue or even brain damage.
Note Jill Bolte Taylor's [a neuroscientist - anatomy] ASC or "mystical" experience which is one of the higher level of mysticism and spirituality.
Transcript of "My stroke of insight"
Some Buddhist experts equate that with the experiences of Nirvana.
However Jill Bolte experienced that from a serious stroke with severe damage to her brain.
That she is a neuro-anatomist, she understood that experience [envy by many] is has something to do with her brain damage from the stroke. Had she experienced that during the 1800s or prior, she could have resorted to be a mystic like St. Theresa of Avila or others.
Nevertheless the experience did make Jill Bolte [an objective scientist] a very spiritual [not religious] person.
So, that a person has experienced some sort of mystical experiences or Altered State of Consciousness does not mean s/he was a Chosen one. It is more likely to do with something happening in the brain via brain damage, mental illness, drugs, knock on the head, certain chemicals, etc.
Bottom line is, for all the talks of consciousness, how would your views contribute net-positively toward the well being of the majority of humanity?
