2. Mental Maps
The universe does not have the properties of looking, sounding, smelling, tasting, or feeling in any way. These are properties of the universe as represented by observers. The universe itself does not have 'an appearance'. We can only say, 'The universe is'.
- The Theory of Universal Awareness assumes that the universe exists 'in reality'. What it terms 'Hosts'-sentient beings-are rare and minute parts of this universe, and their activity is part of the activity of the universe as a whole.
- Hence, according to the theory, whenever a Host, such as yourself, is engaged in some activity we can say more precisely that the universe is engaged in that activity. But it is easier for present purposes to talk about what the Host is doing without contradicting this premise.
- At any waking moment, the brain of a Host creates a representation of the world around it (including the Host itself) from stimulation being received by its sensory systems (visual, auditory, tactile, etc.).
- Hence, for any one of us, the world is only ever the one created by our mind. In a manner of speaking, the world we experience is always 'in our head' not 'out there'.
- We may refer to this representation as 'a multisensory map', by analogy with an everyday map that we use to navigate the world around us. Any mental map is an activity of our brain; it is not a thing or object, though we may speak of it as such.
- A mental map, as with a physical map, is never a replication of 'the real world'.
- Our mental maps bear the strong imprint of verbal information communicated orally and in symbolic form (especially in writing) by other Hosts.
- Whenever we communicate with others, we do so based on our own personal, unique mental map of our world at that moment, likewise for those communicating with us.
- Unlike physical maps, we cannot directly compare our mental maps with the territory they represent. But, as with any physical map, we can enhance both the detail and accuracy of our mental maps from our encounters with the world by thinking logically, rationally and scientifically.
- One limitation on the accuracy of our mental maps is our finite mental capacities. Another is
the language we use to communicate with one another.
Well, all this sounds very dry and intellectual! But when we think deeply about the picture being painted, and when we imagine living our lives accordingly, far-reaching consequences may emerge concerning the way we think of ourselves, the world around us and our relationship with it, and our relationship with other people. You may find assertions 4 and 8 of particular significance. So let's stop here and ponder on this.
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