Thinking and Thought: Evolution, Sources and Nature

Evolution of Human Consciousness for supporting non-instinctive cognition

 As a sentient being, thinking forms an essential part of one's life. It is a constant process throughout life and even after. They play an aiding role in taking decisions. Thought occurs as a primordial, before an action can take place, though it is not necessary that an action needs to succeed a Thought. With life, we are provided with the capability of acting over our thoughts as an actor, which is not possible in death.

Humans are not the only ones capable of conscious thinking, even animals are capable of the same which can be inferred from their behaviour and interactions with their surroundings. The fundamental difference between Humans and Animals exist in the way they have learned to conceptualize the world. In case of animals, the world is an immediate one, and their thoughts and actions are based on instincts; whereas Humans are capable of devising complex worlds and forms. Humans are capable of forming detailed realities which may or may not exist.

This evolution of consciousness has not only aided them in thinking about worlds but also being capable of influencing the reality in unprecedented ways, that were definitely not possible under Animalistic Consciousness. They have aided in creation of complex religions, social structures and most importantly, a sense of higher self, a sense of transcendence. Humans still act more often upon their instincts despite such evolution, as we have not evolved enough to be capable of forming conscious thoughts at certain situations which require instantaneous decision.

This attribute of abstraction, although not just confined to Humans, is very uncommon in Animal Kingdom. This rarity, supported alongside other material and psychological developments led Humans to be a higher species in the Animal Kingdom. Even if only a few among Humans were capable of such efficiency, it benefited all of the species because of the herd behaviour that humans inherited from their animal ancestors.

Sources of a Thought

Human Thoughts have their origin from experiences; those of one's own and of others. It wouldn't be a great thing to say that thoughts are a Rational by-product, this would only restrict our understanding of Human conditions. Thoughts can be emotional and transcendental as well. They may be real and unreal. They may be creative and destructive; upon self as well as on one's surrounding.

If looked from a strictly materialist perspective, matter is the source of all ideas. Material conditions, under this perspective is what leads to formation of an idea. The most prominent idea is of Dialectical Materialism advocated by Karl Marx. This theory may explain reason behind many of the Human Thoughts, but fails at recognizing other sources and giving an exhaustive definition. One can say that there cannot be any particular and exhaustive definition to define Human existence as a conscious and social being. Sciences are very much like a religion and fails at being exhaustive just like religion, this topic however is for some other post.

One shall not misinterpret Materialism in this section to mean hedonism or carvaka philosophy of existence, it is instead an aspect of Naturalist philosophy which considers Nature alone as real and the basis of everything. It also negates the necessity and existence of a God or any other supernatural force as the cause of Universe as it believes Nature to be self-determined and self-creative. Materialism in marxist point of view is based around society and particularly economic relations as the basis of everything from Human Psychology to Society.

In our opinion, it is prakriti or nature that is the source of Human Thoughts and not merely an Economy as the marxist perspective may advocate. Although we don't negate their perspective, we would still like to point out that such perspective is a very narrow one and considers only one small aspect. 

Prakriti is an anti-thesis of Purusha/Brahman. The reason being: Purusha is in its own capacity a forceless force incapable of any desire or thought in material sense and exists only as a witness, which is anti-thetical to Prakriti; which, if seen from metaphysical perspective as its own consciousness, would certainly be capable of a thought and desire like any other sentience would. (The perspective on Purusha and Prakriti would be discussed in a later post.)

Nature of a Thought

A thought, being a product of consciousness conquers death itself, the agent of such thought may die but the thought remains; resonating forever into the infinite time and space; in the cosmic consciousness (prakriti). An end is not a necessity for a thought for it will exist for the sake of existing and will transcend its boundaries and become manifested in reality only if the agent wills so. Same is with the Cosmos, it exists for the sake of existing, it is the agents that define it and drive it. A thought may be lost in the vastness of things, but it is never erased from existence. No force of nature can destroy a thought. It will exist as far as the prakriti does and there is no end to prakriti. It will return again and again for its eternal recurrence. Thus one can say, that on grand scheme of things, there may not be such thing as an 'Originality of thought.' It may merely be a thought manifesting itself again, although the agents may or may not differ.

Srivatsa or The Endless Knot

Glossary

1. Herd Behaviour: It is a part of crowd psychology, it exemplifies on the collective behaviour of the members of a species. This is also inherited among Humans. It is known to exponentially raise the survivalism of members. (Herd Behaviour would be further discussed in later posts)
2. Dialectical Materialism: An Idea propounded by Karl Marx and his colleague, Friedrich Engels. It does not recognize the separation between Matter/Nature and Mind. It considers Mind and Thought as a by-product of Material Conditions. (An article for understanding Dialectical Materialism)
3. Hedonism/carvaka: They are philosophical school which advocate for amplifying pleasure of an individual. Hedonism is often confused with Materialism although they are worlds apart. Materialism is closer to Naturalism as it concerns itself with nature as the fundamental of everything, unlike Hedonistics who only aim at egoistic short-term pleasures as the end of mankind.
4. Srivatsa/The Endless Knot: It is a symbol in Hindu and Buddhist philosophies, although with differing meanings. In buddhist metaphorism, it is symbolic of the cycle of existence: that of Rebirth and Suffering; and also of a constant interaction and interplay between contradictory positions. In Hindu Myths, it is a symbol of Sri or Goddess Lakshmi and is engraved on the chest of God Visnu.

Vajraism: An Introduction

Totems or symbols play a significant role in cultures of the world; may it be 'noble savages' and religions of the past, or the modern "Global Village" which claims itself to be differed from all the religiosity of man and considers itself centered around rationalism, reason and science. Totems are a symbol that a culture considers sacred, often incorporated into religions as a part of 'ritualization of culture'. Analysis of Cultural Symbols, to understand the evolution of Religion can be traced back to Emile Durkheim, a renowned French Sociologist who is famously associated with laying foundations of Modern Social Sciences as they exist. To this age, his works are still considered the authentic works of reason, as they used to be in contemporary times.

The idea that prevailed in rationalized culture of modernity was the sense of self-superiority in ideas; which, if taken into account by the arguments presented by Post-modern philosophers, question that superiority. We are not making an argument about the superiority or inferiority of any Zeitgeists; for if one were to analyze the fundamentals upon which these epochs stand, they have more in commanlity than differences. We are only looking at these concepts through an eye of skepticism when philosophically arguing against them; in doing so we hope not of reaching Nihilism but only the greatness of man.

Arriving upon the symbolism of our movement, we symbolize our ideals around Vajra, a diamond, both strong and beautiful; a product of meticulous art and hard work, which requires careful examination, studying and most importantly patience, to be perfected and handed over to the deserving. If seen through the lens of mythology, it is a weapon of Indra which he used for defeating Vrtra. It was produced by the greatest of artists and creativists, Tvashtr using the bones of Rishi Dadhichi, a symbol of intellect, virtue and wisdom. An unstoppable force of nature which destructs everything in path and gives life.

Top: Vajra with its open prongs (Weapon of Indra)
Bottom: Vajra with its closed prongs (A Symbol in Tibetan Buddhism)

We are in no way associated with Vajrayana Buddhism although we have utmost respect towards them. We do not see Vajra as a mere symbol of peace but also of strength and violence. We do not see it as a mere means to achieve moksha or Shunyata but also as an all-round development of Individual and the Society as a superstructure. In our opinion, the time has arrived for the re-opening of those closed prongs of Vajra and achievment of heroism and greatness of individuals.

This movement of ours is not an ideology for gaining mere political leverage, it also encompasses spectrums from Philosophical to Spiritual; from Moral to Metaphysical. The end of our movement lies in creation of an individual that is like Vajra, an indestructible, irresistible and a positively creative force capable of Beauty and Brutality at the same time; just like an indefinite, eternal Prakriti. Therefore we will call such eventual individual as Rudra, and our movement as Vajraism or Vajratva (वज्रत्व).

Glossary

1. Totems: Totems are the emblems of a clan or a group of people, which serve a purpose of solidarity among the people of such group. The word finds its origin in Ojibwe language of Native Americans and was used extensively by sociologists like Emile Durkheim while studying Australian Aborigines for understanding the Evolution of Religion.
2. Noble Savage: Noble Savage is often used for describing Primitive Societies which remain untouched by the 'civilized world' and are thus considered pure and noble.
3. Post-Modernism: Post-Modernism is used for referring to the current era of Human History which is clouded by a sense of skepticism towards rationalism of modernity as a moral evolution and goal of Human Society.
4. Zeitgeist: Zeitgeist, a central concept in works of G.W.F. Hegel, refers to a trend or a "spirit" that prevails in a particular era. In this post is used for referring to Philosophical trends of those particular eras. (A fine page on understanding Hegel's Geist)
5. Prakriti: Prakriti in this post refers to an unobservable, eternal existence which one may scientifically say "Universe", but it is more than what one can materially perceive. It is an uncertain fundamental force that guides behaviour of everything. Thus being Brutal and Beautiful at the same time.