Consciousness, self-consciousness, and meditation
Phenomenology and the Cognitive Sciences April 18, 2008 DOI: 10.1007/s11097-008-9090-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Citations | 40 |
| Key points | Argues that meditation can be understood as a special means of becoming aware of consciousness itself as such, addressing the problem of self-presence of consciousness qua presence. |
Abstract
Many spiritual traditions employ certain mental techniques (meditation) which consist in inhibiting mental activity whilst nonetheless remaining fully conscious, which is supposed to lead to a realisation of one’s own true nature prior to habitual self-substantialisation. In this paper I propose that this practice can be understood as a special means of becoming aware of consciousness itself as such. To explain this claim I conduct some phenomenologically oriented considerations about the nature of consciousness qua presence and the problem of self-presence of this presence.