Van Rijn explains to Joyce:
we were animals long before we became thinkers (with souls);
conscious intelligence is a small part of the whole self;
intelligence gets us what we want;
but the wanting/motivation for survival, food, shelter, sex etc is deeper, instinctive, based in pre-conscious evolution.
OK so far, except that I see no reason to associate thought with souls.
In zazen, we suspend deliberate thought and watch natural thoughts entering consciousness, thus becoming more aware of them. In this practice, the Buddha discerned no permanent spiritual substance underlying transient mental states. If a t'Kelan could be persuaded to practice zazen, then we might be able to compare accounts of spontaneous thoughts arising in species with different instincts and motivations. But maybe the t'Kelans would be too impatient for such a practice?
1 comment:
Kaor, Paul!
And I do associate thought and intelligence with souls. Nor do I think it's likely for either to exist apart from the other, if physical bodies are going to be used.
Ad astra! Sean
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