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On Becoming Aware Advances in Consciousness Research Advances in Consciousness Research provides a forum for scholars from different scientific disciplines and fields of knowledge who study consciousness in its multifaceted aspects. Thus the Series will include (but not be limited to) the various areas of cognitive science, including cognitive psychology, linguistics, brain science and philosophy. The orientation of the Series is toward developing new interdisciplinary and integrative approaches for the investigation, description and theory of consciousness, as well as the practical consequences of this research for the individual and society. Series B: Research in progress. Experimental, descriptive and clinical research in consciousness. Editor Maxim I. Stamenov Bulgarian Academy of Sciences Editorial Board David Chalmers, University of Arizona Gordon G. Globus, University of California at Irvine Ray Jackendoff, Brandeis University Christof Koch, California Institute of Technology Stephen Kosslyn, Harvard University Earl Mac Cormac, Duke University George Mandler, University of California at San Diego John R. Searle, University of California at Berkeley Petra Stoerig, Universität Düsseldorf † Francisco Varela, C.R.E.A., Ecole Polytechnique, Paris Volume 43 On Becoming Aware: A pragmatics of experiencing Edited by Natalie Depraz, Francisco J. Varela and Pierre Vermersch On Becoming Aware A pragmatics of experiencing Natalie Depraz Université de la Sorbonne (Paris IV) Francisco J. Varela LENA, CNRS & CREA, Paris Pierre Vermersch CNRS, Paris John Benjamins Publishing Company Amsterdam / Philadelphia 8 TM The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information Sciences – Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ansi z39.48-1984. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data On Becoming Aware : A pragmatics of experiencing / edited by Natalie Depraz, Francisco J. Varela and Pierre Vermersch. p. cm. (Advances in Consciousness Research, issn 1381–589X ; v. 43) Includes bibliographical references and indexes. 1. Experience. 2. Awareness. I. Depraz, Natalie. II. Varela, Francisco J., 1946- III. Vermersch, Pierre. IV. Series. B105.E9 O5 2002 128´.4-dc21 isbn 90 272 5167 3 (Eur.) / 1 58811 243 8 (US) (Hb; alk. paper) isbn 90 272 5163 0 (Eur.) / 1 58811 216 0 (US) (Pb; alk. paper) 2002074567 © 2003 – John Benjamins B.V. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, photoprint, microfilm, or any other means, without written permission from the publisher. John Benjamins Publishing Co. · P.O. Box 36224 · 1020 me Amsterdam · The Netherlands John Benjamins North America · P.O. Box 27519 · Philadelphia pa 19118-0519 · usa Table of contents Introduction: A guide for the perplexed What are we up to? 1 To whom are we talking? 3 So what’s the bottom line? 6 An invitation 11 Acknowledgments 11 1 Part I: The structural dynamics of becoming aware Chapter 1. The basic cycle 1.1 Overall presentation 15 Entering into the inquiry 15 A working description: Three temporal horizons 20 Why a session? 20 Exemplary variations 21 1.2 Epoche 24 The three components of epoche 24 The suspension and its follow-ups 26 Redirection and letting-go 31 The difficulties of redirection 34 Pragmatic difficulties and help in overcoming them 35 Letting-go and the quality of attention 37 The basic structure of becoming aware: The double fold of reflection and affection 41 1.3 Intuitive evidence 43 Intuition as gesture and as process 43 The philosophical roots of intuition 44 The temporal dynamic of the intuitive act 48 The fragile lightning-bolt of the process of intuitive fulfillment: From emptiness to givenness-in-flesh-and-blood 49 Intuition and affectivity 54