The Ascending and Descending of the Unattainable Mind
mixed media on wood panel
36” x 48” x 2”
2023-24
The continuous ascent and descent, the endless quest for an ideal or truth that can never be fully realized and that certain aspects of consciousness are inherently unattainable due to their complexity or the limits of human perception.
Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
Genesis 28:12
Philosophers like Ken Wilber have explored this balance between transcenders (ascenders) and descenders. Ascenders focus on transcending the material world, striving for elevated states of awareness, whereas descenders emphasize the grounding of spiritual experiences in reality. According to Wilber, true nonduality requires a harmonious integration of both processes, allowing individuals to navigate the complexities of existence effectively.
In Platonic philosophy, ascending and descending relate to the soul's journey toward truth and enlightenment. The soul ascends to grasp higher truths but may also descend into confusion due to distractions and ethical failings. This dual movement is part of the mind's oscillation between higher aspirations and the recognition of human limitations, the perpetual search for meaning in an indifferent or incomprehensible universe.