On the subject of memory,

My grandfather had a housekeeper for many years, who, in the last years of her life lost all her memory and didn't recognize anyone. I will refer to her here as Eva.

Once, an aunt of mine who had known here for mmany many years was visiting her. We shall refer my aunt as Caroline O'Reilly.

Well, Caroline was visiting Eva who had lost all useful day to day memory, and as usual Eva was busying herself to make Caroline feel welcome, as was her way.

They chatted about how eva was enjoying the home where she was staying and general other stufff that was of the immediate moment, but as far as Eva was concerned Caroline was just a kind stranger in a world full of unfamiliar things and people.

Suddenly, Eva turned to Caroline and said - in the manner of a barrister at law - "do you know Caroline O'Reilly" ...

To which my aunt replied "yes - I'm Caroline O'Reilly"

For a moment there was comprehension, then a mist of tears, and then the moment had passed and Caroline was a stranger again.

As I see it, in the ever changing present moment, Eva was never anything less than "I".

She was just "I" with no frame of reference to the world around her.

I think "I" can therefore exist without memories, being something of the moment, whether grappling to define terms in an inconsequential debate or whether trying to remember what it is you are sipposed to be doing, or trying to work out how to get the toast out of the clock radio.

When I was very small I did not understand the world around me, but I was definitely still "I". I don't agree that you have to be self aware to be "I".

"I" am conscious

"I" am aware

"I" ... float

"I" in isolation.


This of course still has no bearing on whether "I" can exist independently of the human brain or body.

But an interesting thought is this ... If the universe can expand from a singularity, then contract and expand again in an infinite gravity induced cycle, and spacetime can be recycled and reborn, then why can't all of its components - including human consciousness.

"I" am the essential ingrdient of the universe that I experience. Of that there is no doubt as without that ingredient I wouldn't be experiencing it.

So why shouldn't the laws of the ever reincarnating universe also apply to me?