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Greetings Paul
I asked for a criterion to differentiate a seeker from a non-seeker within the context of your definition of a mystic, so let me again quote your definition of a mystic to enable easy reference.
Your definition of a mystic was as follow: ‘A mystic, to me, is a being that seeks to achieve as direct and authentic an experience of life as is possible. This clearly requires some further explanation. By direct and authentic i&i mean as unobstructed by preconceived notions, patterns of thought,and illusory separation of self and object. It is to be utterly, totally aware’.
You stated that a seeker could be differentiated from a non-seeker; so let me quote your statement.
‘i&i have just realised that I did not reply to your specific request for criterion to separate the seeker from the non-seeker. I would suggest only one, and that is intent. A seeker, almost by definition, is one who self-consciously sets out to improve their understanding and awareness. A non-seeker is either unaware that such an improvement is possible, or regards their current state of awareness as being sufficient’.
From your explanations, I take it that you believe that there are seekers and non-seeker. Now factoring this information into your original definition of a mystic the following statements can be made.
1) There are some people called mystics and by your definition ‘A mystic is a being that seeks to achieve as direct and authentic an experience of life as is possible’.
2) There are other people who do not seek to achieve as direct and authentic an experience of life as is possible.
Now having explained your criterion please explain to me how you execute this criterion? How do you determine for another human being that he or she does not seek to achieve as direct and authentic an experience of life as is possible?
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