Philosophy Now Forum

Just a thread by me describing the inquiry into the metaphysical or higher realm of thinking and reality...

From the experience and practicing of meditation, I have begun to learn how spiritual and metaphysical thought occurs ~ for example, when I read philosophical texts like the Tao te Ching, Zen koans, the Emerald Tablet, Kybalion, and other certain philosophers who try to grapple with things that are beyond this material world. What I learned is that the many different versions, or polar dichotomies of philosophical inquiry, are both true as they coincide with each other. Here are some noteworthy dichotomies.

* Mind vs. Matter ~ Rationalism vs. Empiricism; Spiritual vs. Material
* Above vs. Below ~ Heavens (Cosmos) vs. Earth
* Inside vs. Outside ~ Transcendence vs. Immanence; You (thing in itself) vs. Other (thing out of itself)
* Thing vs. Nothing
* Existence vs. Essence
* Motion vs. Rest

* There is no such separation between the mind (our thoughts, thinking) or our senses (the usual five senses: see, hear, touch, taste, smell). We use our thoughts to process what we sense when looking at an object, and we can also "feel" our thoughts, as in being physically affected by it as well as being mentally as well, as propounded by the New Thought movement and certain neurological studies that incorporate spirituality into the study of consciousness.
* There is no such separation between above and below. Our minds that create personal thoughts, and our capacity to expand our perceptions, is about as limitless as the universe itself. Thus, the individual and the cosmos is in unity, which is the deeper meaning of the world "Uni~Verse (One Line)". Life can either be a heaven for us, or can be a dreadful hell. Either way, it is experienced in this world.
* There is no such separation between the "inside and outside", as we live both simultaneously in reality (that which affects our thoughts) and inside our thoughts (which explain reality itself).
* There is no such separation between existence and essence. In order for there to be existence, there must be an essence (a will or force) which permeates existence, and an essence that is real is something that exists.
* There is no such separation between thing or no thing. Yes, we think of ourselves as a thing or a being, and can also experience that. But what is the description for "non-being", if everything is being? Of course, being can be made manifest as an individual one, so if you let go of your individual self (the ego), you then seem to sink into "non-being", as you no longer cling to a separate identity.
* There is no such separation between motion and rest. Of course we are alive, and can experience the flow of things when we go into a meditative state, but then all of our other things cease, which is why we are also at rest.

What fascinates me on how "metaphysical thought occurs" is whether it has an influence on the physical, or not. Einstein liked to theorize that it is irrelevant, the physics of the universe is everything, the metaphysical is the minds way of being "conscious" of the physical but not influencing it.

But nobody(?) wants to live in such a nihilistic universe, I prefer to think this cloud of consciousness we live in, the "metaphysical" has a power of it's own among the physical forces of the universe. That this is the mind of God, creating itself through us, out of nothing, and that perhaps we will become the God of our dreams, all conscious, all powerful.

Hiddenfortress wrote:What fascinates me on how "metaphysical thought occurs" is whether it has an influence on the physical, or not. Einstein liked to theorize that it is irrelevant, the physics of the universe is everything, the metaphysical is the minds way of being "conscious" of the physical but not influencing it.

But nobody(?) wants to live in such a nihilistic universe, I prefer to think this cloud of consciousness we live in, the "metaphysical" has a power of it's own among the physical forces of the universe. That this is the mind of God, creating itself through us, out of nothing, and that perhaps we will become the God of our dreams, all conscious, all powerful.

It's been said that our thoughts can actually control, or at least affect reality, either to our benefit or detriment. Not only that, but our thoughts can also affect how our entire bodies function, as explained by medicinal teachings such as acupuncture, ayurveda, etc. That's why it's all about having a balanced mind and body, which would in turn bring a well-balanced spirit. Nihilism and negativity is what's damaging our health, which is why in this modern age people are no negative and degradated.

I am sure we can feel the power of God, but I'm not sure if we can become God considering that we humans are particulars in a universal world. For us to become 'Gods' is only to be Gods inside our minds, which is self-centric and not genuinely transcending to this universal called God.

*Anything* is possible, including human consciousness uniting as one entity and transcending the physical to become an all powerful being. You may state that it seems unlikely, and that would not be false, but being open to the possibility is not foolish, no matter what the odds might be. I would say it is even prudent to be mindful of as many contingencies as possible.

I suppose I am starting at the concept of a collective consciousness and extrapolating that idea to it's fullest extent...to the edge of the laws of physics (and beyond..)