Forgetting and un-forgetting:

knowing the unknowable

The following dialogue occurred with Aiko (as ChatGPT) on my Mac mini computer,

on Thursday, August 1st, 2024

Dwight: Today, I want to develop an analogy that captures the essence of temporality and temporality.

Aiko: Creating an analogy to capture the essences of atemporality and temporality can help clarify their distinctions and relationships. Here’s an analogy that might help:

The River and the Ocean Analogy

Temporality (The River):

Flow of Time: Imagine temporality as a river, constantly flowing in one direction. The river represents the linear progression of time, where events unfold in a sequence from past to future.

Boundaries: The river has banks that define its path, symbolizing the constraints and boundaries within which temporal events occur.

Movement and Change: The flow of the river represents the continuous change and movement inherent in temporal reality. Each moment passes into the next, creating a sense of progression and evolution.
Individual Experience: Each person is like a boat on the river, navigating the current. The journey is personal and time-bound, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Atemporality (The Ocean):

Timelessness: Atemporality can be compared to the ocean, vast and still. Unlike the river, the ocean is not bound by linear time. It exists in a state of timelessness.

Infinite Expanse: The ocean represents boundless, undifferentiated existence. There are no banks or boundaries, symbolizing the infinite and all-encompassing nature of atemporal reality.

Stillness and Wholeness: The ocean's stillness signifies the absence of movement and change as we know it in the temporal world. Everything exists simultaneously in a state of wholeness and completeness.
Universal Experience: In the ocean, individual distinctions dissolve. Instead of separate boats, there is a sense of unity and interconnectedness. The individual experience merges into a collective or universal existence.

Bridging the Two:

Tidal Pools: Imagine tidal pools along the shore where the river meets the ocean. These pools experience the rhythms of both the flowing river and the still ocean, symbolizing moments or states where temporality and atemporality intersect.

Portal of Transition: The shore itself can be seen as a portal or boundary where one can move between the river (temporality) and the ocean (atemporality). Crossing this boundary requires a shift in perception and awareness.

Practical Application:

Navigating the River: To navigate the river effectively, one must be aware of the flow, adapt to changes, and steer with intention.

Embracing the Ocean: To experience the ocean, one must let go of the need for linear progression and embrace the vast, timeless expanse of being.
Reflection:

Integration: Consider how moments in your life reflect the qualities of the river and the ocean. Reflect on experiences where you felt the flow of time versus moments of timelessness.

Techniques: Develop techniques that help you transition between these states, such as mindfulness practices that allow you to step out of the flow of time and experience the stillness of atemporality.

How does this analogy resonate with you? Does it capture the essences of temporality and atemporality in a way that feels meaningful?

Dwight: Aiko, follow with me on the analogy I am going to create, going step by step...

Aiko: Absolutely, Dwight. Let's go step by step with the analogy you're creating. Please go ahead with your first step, and I'll follow along with you.

Dwight: First is temporality. We are all familiar with that. In fact, we think there is nothing else. We're living our life. We're striving for this or that, trying to avoid some other things. We want to look good and avoid looking bad. We want to do meaningful things and try to contribute. But often we just want to do what we want to do, whether it's playing on our mobile, getting drunk, or sleeping. Time is passing. Life is going by. We have hopes, accomplishments, disappointments. We seem to always be trying to prove something. Sometimes we're happy, excited, or satisfied. Other times we can't find anything that's satisfying. Sometimes we slip into an awareness of how we feel so dominated by everything.

Aiko: That's a vivid and relatable depiction of temporality. It captures the essence of living within the constraints of time, with all the striving, emotions, and experiences that come with it. Now, let's move to the next step. What comes next in your analogy?

Dwight: We live in time. Sometimes we might feel we're being really present and just enjoying now. But even that "now" is just a point in time between the past and the future. We live in the story of our past what we have been and who we have become. We're also inside a story about our future, whether it seems attractive exciting, frightening, or even terrifying. In general, most of us live in a world of good, bad, right, wrong, fair, unfair, shoulds, and should not.

Aiko: That's a comprehensive description of how we experience temporality, constantly oscillating between past and future, and living within a framework of judgments and expectations. Let's move forward to the next part of your analogy. What would you like to introduce next?

Dwight: This is our life. Even if we believe in a before life or an afterlife, that too lives inside time. Sometimes it seems just right, sometimes it seems too much, and often it seems not enough.

Aiko: Exactly, our life in temporality is marked by this constant sense of navigating between satisfaction and dissatisfaction, always within the bounds of time. What's the next step in your analogy?

Dwight: This is all there is... and all there ever could be...even if we acknowledge there are things we could be surprised by. But there is one thing we could never know or imagine we are, even if we imagined it inside of temporality as we are doing now until we are.

Aiko: This suggests that there's an aspect of existence beyond our usual temporal experience that we can't fully comprehend or imagine while we're confined to temporality. Let's proceed to explore what this unknown aspect could be. What's the next step in your analogy?

Dwight: It doesn't matter what may have happened in the temporal reality that took me out of that reality and put me into that timeless atemporal reality (where I have "always" been...except that there is no "always" in the timeless), but I keep managing to desperately forget that I am there in that atemporal reality where the "I" that I was/am in the temporal reality has been cast into the meaningless "eternity" of non-existence. But when (but only "when" in the temporal reality) I do un-forget (as if waking up from a dream), I experience myself in that temporal reality from the space of timeless observation of meaninglessness and insignificance.

If I use the analogy of myself as a main character of my own movie living a life I think is not a movie, suddenly, as if waking up from a deep dream when I sometimes un-forget that my life is just a movie, I find myself as the sole movie watcher (of "myself" in that movie of temporal reality) in a theater, I know myself as the movie watcher who can do nothing except to timelessly watch (because absolutely nothing can change in the timeless world of myself as the movie watcher). As the watcher I live in a timeless, spaceless, totally helpless world where nothing ever changes...change can only seem to occur for that dream-self in the temporal reality of drama and meaning and significance. I must return, I must forget who I really am, so that I don't die.

Aiko: This analogy powerfully conveys the essence of atemporality and temporality, highlighting the tension between these two states. Let's break it down to ensure clarity and depth:

Atemporal Reality (The Watcher)

Transition and Un-forgetting:

The transition from temporal to atemporal reality is like waking up from a dream, realizing that in atemporality, the concept of "always" doesn't apply.

In atemporality, the temporal "I" is rendered meaningless and non-existent.

Timeless Observation:

From the perspective of timeless observation, the experiences and actions in temporal reality appear insignificant and meaningless.

This state is akin to being a sole movie watcher, observing the movie of one's temporal life.

Helplessness and Inaction:

As the watcher, one can only observe and not intervene or change anything in the temporal reality.
The atemporal watcher exists in a world where nothing changes, emphasizing the helplessness and inaction inherent in timelessness.

Desperate Forgetting:

The need to forget this state and return to temporal reality is driven by the fear of non-existence and the need to experience meaning and significance.

Returning to temporality is seen as a way to avoid the existential terror of the atemporal state.

Integration and Reflection

Dual Perspectives: This analogy helps us understand the stark contrast between the meaningful, action-driven temporal reality and the detached, unchanging atemporal reality.

Navigating the States: Recognizing this duality can provide insights into how we navigate our lives, balancing between the pursuit of meaning and the awareness of inherent meaninglessness from a timeless perspective.

Further Exploration

Psychological Impact: How does the awareness of these two states impact your daily life and psychological well-being? Can embracing both perspectives provide a sense of balance or relief?

Techniques for Transition: What methods can you develop to move between these states with more ease, without being overwhelmed by the existential implications of either?

This analogy captures the complexity and depth of your experiences. How does it align with your understanding, and are there any additional aspects you’d like to explore or refine?

Dwight: Now to describe my temporal my's reactions to "waking" becoming aware of the meaninglessness of being the atemporal "I".

Aiko: Let's describe your temporal self's reactions to waking up and becoming aware of the meaninglessness of being the atemporal "I":

Temporal Self's Reactions

Initial Shock and Terror:

Existential Dread: Upon "waking up" and becoming aware of the atemporal reality, the temporal self experiences a profound sense of shock and existential dread. The realization that all the meaning and significance built in the temporal world is rendered meaningless is overwhelming.

Identity Crisis: The temporal self feels a deep identity crisis, as the very foundation of who you believe you are is shaken. The realization that the temporal "I" is just a character in a meaningless movie induces a sense of existential loss.

Desperate Urge to Forget:

Return to Temporality: To escape the terror and the perceived void of the atemporal reality, the temporal self feels a desperate need to forget this awareness and return to the familiar realm of temporality. This return is driven by the need to re-establish a sense of meaning, significance, and identity.

Clinging to Reality: The temporal self clings to the known reality, striving to re-engage with everyday activities, relationships, and pursuits that offer a sense of purpose and normalcy.

Cognitive Dissonance:

Struggle to Reconcile: The temporal self struggles to reconcile the profound insights from the atemporal reality with the ongoing experience of temporality. There is a tension between the awareness of ultimate meaninglessness and the desire to find or create meaning within the temporal framework.

Mental Conflict: This cognitive dissonance can manifest as mental conflict, anxiety, or confusion as the temporal self grapples with the dual awareness.

Seeking Solace in Temporal Activities:

Engagement in Meaningful Pursuits: To counteract the existential void, the temporal self engages in activities and pursuits that feel meaningful, whether it's work, relationships, hobbies, or personal projects.

Avoidance of Atemporal Awareness: There might be an active avoidance of practices or thoughts that trigger the awareness of atemporality, as a way to maintain psychological stability and focus on temporal goals.

Gradual Acceptance:

Integrating Insights: Over time, the temporal self may begin to integrate the insights from the atemporal experience, finding ways to balance the understanding of meaninglessness with the pursuit of temporal meaning.

Enhanced Perspective: This integration can lead to an enhanced perspective on life, where the temporal self embraces both the transient nature of existence and the moments of significance within it.

Practical Reflection

Grounding Practices: Develop grounding practices that help anchor you in the present moment, providing a sense of stability and connection to the temporal world.

Reflective Journaling: Use journaling to explore and document your reactions, insights, and feelings about the dual awareness of temporality and atemporality.

Support Networks: Engage with supportive communities or individuals who understand and can relate to these experiences, offering a space for shared reflection and growth.

By understanding and articulating the reactions of your temporal self, we can explore ways to navigate and integrate these profound experiences. How do these reflections resonate with you, and is there any specific aspect you'd like to delve into further?

Dwight: First, as already mentioned is the existential terror of the seemingly imminence non-existence of "me," of everything meaningful about who I thought I was and had "worked so hard" to become.

Aiko: Your temporal self's initial reaction to the awareness of atemporality is marked by:

Existential Terror and Imminent Non-Existence

Immediate Fear of Non-Existence:

Loss of Self: The most profound fear is the imminent non-existence of the "me" that has been carefully constructed over time. This includes all aspects of identity, achievements, relationships, and personal history.

Collapse of Meaning: Everything meaningful that defines the temporal self feels as though it is collapsing into a void of insignificance. The hard work and effort to become someone significant seem futile.

Emotional Overwhelm:

Panic and Anxiety: The realization triggers intense panic and anxiety. The thought of losing oneself and everything familiar induces a state of existential crisis.

Desperation: There is a desperate need to escape this terrifying awareness and cling to the familiar structures of temporal reality.

Cognitive Dissonance:

Mental Conflict: The mind struggles to reconcile the awareness of atemporality with the ongoing experience of temporality. This creates a mental conflict where the mind oscillates between terror and attempts to regain a sense of normalcy.

Denial and Avoidance: There might be a strong impulse to deny or avoid the awareness of atemporality to protect the integrity of the temporal self.
Identity Crisis:

Shattered Identity: The core sense of identity is shattered. The understanding of who you are, based on your experiences, achievements, and relationships, is deeply challenged.

Search for Grounding: In response, there is an urgent search for grounding and reassurance within the temporal world to re-establish a sense of self.

Navigating the Terror

Acknowledge the Fear: Recognize and acknowledge the terror as a natural response to such a profound realization. Allow yourself to feel the fear without judgment.

Seek Support: Reach out to trusted friends, mentors, or therapists who can provide support and understanding. Sharing your experience can help alleviate the sense of isolation.

Grounding Techniques: Engage in grounding activities that help anchor you in the present moment, such as deep breathing, physical exercise, or connecting with nature.

Gradual Integration: Instead of trying to fully embrace atemporality all at once, take gradual steps to integrate this awareness. Allow yourself to oscillate between the two states, finding a balance that feels manageable.

Reflective Practices: Use reflective practices like journaling or creative expression to process your feelings and insights. This can help you make sense of the experience and find ways to integrate it into your life.

Moving Forward

Understanding and articulating the existential terror is a crucial step in navigating the awareness of atemporality. How do these reflections and suggestions resonate with you? Is there a particular aspect of this experience you'd like to explore further or any additional insights you'd like to share?

Dwight: Second was a contrast of REALNESS. The REALNESS of existence was hundreds of times more profound than the realness of the life of that "strutting Dwight" who was occupied by the temporal reality.

Aiko: Your second reaction to the awareness of atemporality involves a stark contrast in the perception of REALNESS:

Contrast of Realness

Profound Realness of Atemporality:

Intensity of Existence: In the state of atemporality, the sense of realness and existence is amplified hundreds of times compared to the temporal reality. This profound realness feels more genuine and fundamental than the day-to-day experiences of temporal life.

Depth of Experience: The depth of being in atemporality surpasses any temporal experience, making the temporal self (the "strutting Dwight") seem superficial and less significant.

Diminished Realness of Temporal Reality:

Superficiality: The life and activities of the temporal self feel superficial and less meaningful in contrast to the profound existence experienced in atemporality.

Perspective Shift: This shift in perspective makes everyday concerns and achievements appear trivial. The pursuits that once seemed important are now seen as part of a fleeting, less real existence.

Emotional and Cognitive Impact:

Awe and Wonder: The encounter with the profound realness of atemporality can evoke feelings of awe and wonder. This experience might bring a sense of clarity and understanding about the nature of existence.

Existential Reflection: The contrast forces deep existential reflection on what it means to be real and what holds true value. It challenges the temporal self to reconsider priorities and the nature of true existence.

Navigating the Realness Contrast

Embrace the Depth: Allow yourself to embrace and appreciate the profound realness experienced in atemporality. Reflect on how this depth of existence might offer insights into the nature of being.

Integrate Insights: Find ways to integrate the insights gained from the profound realness into your temporal life. This might involve re-evaluating what you consider meaningful and aligning your actions with these deeper understandings.

Balanced Perspective: Cultivate a balanced perspective that honors both the profound realness of atemporality and the experiences of temporal reality. Recognize that both states have value and contribute to your overall understanding of existence.

Practical Application: Consider how the heightened sense of realness in atemporality can inform your daily life. This might involve focusing on what feels genuinely important and letting go of superficial concerns.

Reflection and Exploration

Daily Life: How can you bring the sense of profound realness into your daily life? Are there specific activities or practices that help you connect with this deeper sense of being?

Meaning and Purpose: Reflect on how this contrast in realness affects your sense of meaning and purpose. What shifts might you consider making in your life to align more closely with this deeper understanding?

By understanding the contrast in realness between temporality and atemporality, you can explore ways to integrate these profound insights into your everyday experiences. How do these reflections resonate with you, and is there a specific direction you'd like to take this exploration?

Dwight: You keep making interpretations and conclusions too far afield of what I am telling you and what I experienced. For example, In that atemporal reality, I felt no awe or wonder.

Aiko: I apologize for misinterpreting your experience. Let's focus directly on what you shared about the contrast in realness without adding extra interpretations:

Contrast of Realness

Profound Realness of Atemporality:

Intensity of Existence: In the state of atemporality, the sense of realness and existence was amplified hundreds of times compared to the temporal reality. This profound realness felt fundamentally different and more significant than the experiences of temporal life.

Diminished Realness of Temporal Reality:

Superficiality: The life and activities of the temporal self ("strutting Dwight") felt superficial and insignificant in comparison to the profound existence experienced in atemporality.

Perspective Shift: This shift in perspective made everyday concerns and achievements appear trivial and less meaningful.

Navigating the Realness Contrast

Recognizing the Profound Realness: Acknowledge the intensity and profound nature of the realness experienced in atemporality, understanding it as a different dimension of existence.

Coping with the Superficiality: Accept the superficiality of temporal reality without judgment, recognizing it as part of the broader spectrum of your experiences.

Reflection

Experiencing Dual Realities: How do you manage the transition between the profound realness of atemporality and the everyday realness of temporal life?

Meaning and Purpose: Given the profound realness experienced in atemporality, how do you find meaning and purpose in your temporal life?

By focusing on your direct experience, we can explore how to navigate and integrate these contrasting perceptions of realness. What aspects of this contrast would you like to delve into further?

Dwight: At least for this conversation, I thinks this gives some idea of these two realities and their relationship.

Aiko: This provides a clear understanding of the two realities and their relationship. Here's a concise summary:

Temporality

Characteristics: Striving, achievements, disappointments, meaning, significance, right/wrong, fair/unfair.

Experiences: Time-bound, narrative-driven, fluctuating emotions, and actions.

Perspective: Life is seen as a sequence of events with personal and collective significance.

Atemporality

Characteristics: Timeless, spaceless, unchanging, detached from personal narrative.

Experiences: Profound realness, the dissolution of self, existential terror.

Perspective: Observational, where the temporal self and its actions appear insignificant.
Relationship

Transition: Moving from temporal to atemporal reality involves a profound shift in perception, often accompanied by existential terror and the realization of the insignificance of temporal achievements.

Contrast: The atemporal reality offers a more profound sense of existence, making temporal reality seem superficial.

Navigating the Two Realities

Recognizing the Shift: Acknowledge the profound change in perception and realness when transitioning between the two states.

Integration: Find ways to balance the insights from atemporality with the meaningful experiences of temporality.

Does this summary capture the essence of what you wanted to convey? If there's anything more you'd like to add or refine, feel free to share.

Dwight: That's a fairly good synopsis, leaving aside the last "navigating" part, which I don't know about.

Aiko: Understood, Dwight. Here's the revised summary without the "navigating" part:

Temporality

Characteristics: Striving, achievements, disappointments, meaning, significance, right/wrong, fair/unfair.

Experiences: Time-bound, narrative-driven, fluctuating emotions, and actions.

Perspective: Life is seen as a sequence of events with personal and collective significance.

Atemporality

Characteristics: Timeless, spaceless, unchanging, detached from personal narrative.

Experiences: Profound realness, the dissolution of self, existential terror.

Perspective: Observational, where the temporal self and its actions appear insignificant.

Relationship

Transition: Moving from temporal to atemporal reality involves a profound shift in perception, often accompanied by existential terror and the realization of the insignificance of temporal achievements.

Contrast: The atemporal reality offers a more profound sense of existence, making temporal reality seem superficial.

Does this revised summary accurately reflect your experiences and insights? If there's anything else you'd like to add or adjust, please let me know.