Aeon418
One of the biggest drawbacks to explaining transcendental concepts in the language of reason is that it frequently ends in self-contradiction. The rational mind just isn't equiped to think about these subjects on their own plane. An anology might be trying to explain emotions by using mathematics.
I noticed that you interpreted "original, individual, eternal essence" as "solid, enduring, single being". The first description is trying to describe something that is beyond form of any kind. In fact, according to the laws of the rational mind, the original, individual, eternal essence doesn't even exist. And yet, in order to get a conceptual grip on it, you've had to bring in down the planes and give it form.
It might be better to say what the original, individual, eternal essence is not. It's not your personality or anything that you identify as you. It's much, much deeper than that. Trying to imagine conscious awareness without identity might be helpful. Most people indentify with their personalities so strongly that the thought of it's end is horrifying. The fear of death is only as strong as your attachemnt to your personality.
As anyone who meditates will tell you, as meditation deepens there comes a point where consciousness of the mind and body drops away and is replaced by, what I can only describe as light. But it's an intensely aware state. Much more intense than normal consciousness. But there's certainly nothing to fear.
I noticed that you interpreted "original, individual, eternal essence" as "solid, enduring, single being". The first description is trying to describe something that is beyond form of any kind. In fact, according to the laws of the rational mind, the original, individual, eternal essence doesn't even exist. And yet, in order to get a conceptual grip on it, you've had to bring in down the planes and give it form.
It might be better to say what the original, individual, eternal essence is not. It's not your personality or anything that you identify as you. It's much, much deeper than that. Trying to imagine conscious awareness without identity might be helpful. Most people indentify with their personalities so strongly that the thought of it's end is horrifying. The fear of death is only as strong as your attachemnt to your personality.
As anyone who meditates will tell you, as meditation deepens there comes a point where consciousness of the mind and body drops away and is replaced by, what I can only describe as light. But it's an intensely aware state. Much more intense than normal consciousness. But there's certainly nothing to fear.