Cleric K wrote: ↑Sat Mar 13, 2021 7:56 pm
OK. We are speaking of different things. I'm talking about
pure mathematics without any attempt to map them to other domains of experience. It is for these that I say they are perfectly valid cognitive experiences
in themselves. Otherwise, if they are mapped to perceptions and turned into
theories about reality, I fully agree that most of them simply lock the spirit in intellectual loops.
I should clarify, that in this context by 'theory' I mean primarily formal mathematical theories such as ZFC. On the other hand I support intuitionist philosophy of math, which is empirical theory of mathematics in the intuitive and idealist sense of empirism. So, we can have intuitive insight how e.g. point relates to other concepts, and linguistic definitions should follow the intuitive empirical aspect of mathematics, not violate it.
The way to see a point with the eye of the mind necessitates first ideas of flat plane and straight line. To see a point in the FlatLand, we need to make a cut in a straight line, so we can observe a point from the point on the other side of the cut. Another necessity is that the straight lines are parallel and don't meet, otherwise we see only lines, not a point. Whether a line even in most ideal stage can be without any width is IMO highly questionable. I think it is obvious that the width of an ideal line is
more than nothing, and that as such is already a very reasonable definition. We run to challenging troubles when trying to relate that with discrete quantification. Few millennia, and probably much much more, have not been enough to solve those troubles in satisfactory way. That foundational crisis has been very acute since Newton, Leibnitz and Berkeley. Attempt to solve the problem by formalist reductionism, by claiming that that any and all lines are infinite sums of infinitesimal points (ie "infinite sets"), leads to IMO intolerable dishonesty, most concretely in form of the absurd claim that non-demonstrable and non-computable real numbers can satisfy field axioms, ie. do basic arithmetic.
As for your position - I'm still unsure

In the context of the meditations I would say that you are using them as symbols for the archetypal processes. But I'm not clear if you strive to find
concrete mirror of the archetypal processes in intellectual math concepts. Or you accept that the deeper processes are always more than the sum of the math concepts and operations, and as such math is used as symbolic language for the occult (as it has always been used by the Initiates).
Intuitively valid mathematical concepts are not mirrors, unless they are intuited and defined as mirrors. In my foundational approach, continuous processes are fundamental and don't reduce to discrete notions. Embodying and acting out intuitive mathematical investigations e.g. by dancing them has been a part of my methodology, but I don't consider that especially occult. I don't object to such interpretations, but don't fancy the occult aspect of secretive conspiracies myself. That level of paranoid is not good for my mental well being.
And we return to the bold which is already a step towards what I called moving to the pole of light. The opposite of that would be to think and feel more confusedly, narrowly and more sleepily. OK, I don't insist to call it 'light'. The question is, is it one-sided to strive towards the bold text? Is this driving humanity off-equilibrium?
I can't give categorical answer to that question. I already gave my categorical answer: better instead of worse is better. Further and more complex qualifications don't improve that simple definition. As often, less is more. And before you ask, Finnish for 'pleasure' is mielihyvä, ie. mind-good, and displeasure mind-bad. Of course in practice mind-good and mind-bad can be extremely complex processes, but what other empirical criterion can there be?