[mkirkpatrick]

When we look into the mirror we are looking at a reflection of reality,we are the outer
manifestation of an inner reality/be-ing.

We can search forever outwards for clues as to what is the meaning and purpose of life
and existence,however it is not until we look within ourselves that we begin to find answers to the very questions that haunt us at times of reflective thought.


regards michael

[Profpat]

Hi Michael;

I remember I had a student who came to my class with a T shirt on that read " THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE." It was a saying from the X Files an American TV show. After reading his T shirt I said " No the truth isn't out there it's in here " tapping on my chest.
I don't know how many students caught my meaning, hopefully a few.

Best to you,

Pat

[mkirkpatrick]

Originally Posted by Profpat Hi Michael; I remember I had a student who came to my class with a T shirt on that read " THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE." It was a saying from the X Files an American TV show. After reading his T shirt I said " No the truth isn't out there is in here " tapping on my chest. I don't know how many students caught my meaning, hopefully a few. Best to you, Pat

Great program Pat,X-files,we used to get it here on tv,hopefully some of them remembered that the answer lies within,have a nice day as you say out there!

regards michael.

[mkirkpatrick]

There is and can never be found any reality without,without is an illusion conjured by the senses,which trap mankind and feed him all kinds of false information,we as human beings,all manifested form,is the embodiment of an absolute eternal reality.When we look within ourselves we peel back the many layers,revealing finer and finer vibrations of livingness.

We are in fact and in truth embodiments of a principle made manifest and animated by
consciouness which is another aspect of the living life force.


tbc



regards michael.

[Play_Dough]

Originally Posted by mkirkpatrick There is and can never be found any reality without, without is an illusion conjured by the senses, which trap mankind and feed him all kinds of false information, we as human beings, all manifested form, is the embodiment of an absolute eternal reality. When we look within ourselves we peel back the many layers, revealing finer and finer vibrations of livingness. We are in fact, and in truth, embodiments of a principle made manifest and animated by consciouness which is another aspect of the living life force. tbc regards michael.

I, for the most part, am in agreement with your extraordinarily insightful and illuminated comment.
I wish to contribute to evolving your ideas.
There is a 'reality' 'without' but the 'external reality' is a 'transitory reality' and not 'ultimate reality'.
'Science' is, for the most part, the investigator of the 'external reality' and scientific processes can and do discover 'laws' that govern the physical 'reality'.
Howsoever, 'ultimate reality' will never be discerned or understood as long as 'consciousness' is projected 'outwardly'.
'Ultimate reality' (ultimate truth) can be and is discovered (Quote) "When we look within ourselves we peel back the many layers, revealing finer and finer vibrations of livingness." (End Quote).

The key to grasping 'reality' (ultimate truth) is found by decompiling the human ego.... as you said, "to peel back the many layers" (of self) and to gradually and finally reveal (to the investigating consciousness) the 'root of consciousness'.

What then is 'the root of consciousness'? The answer (opinion) is that consciousness has no 'root'. Consciousness is a 'thing unto itself' and exists independent of any other phenomena. Consciousness is not a by-product of biology but (rather) expresses (also) through biology, like water 'expressing' through a spigot.

So, it seems that we (consciousness) begin our quest for 'ultimate reality' from 'within' (contained) the human experience but gradually come to realize that 'human' is the box that consciousness needs to 'think outside of'.
As the layers (accessories) of consciousness are peeled away, we gradually discover purer and purer (i.e., fewer 'animal' attributes) expressions and experiences of consciousness. In the process of peeling away the multifarious layers of consciousness we also find that our thoughts and beliefs also had a part in 'shaping' the 'external ephemeral reality'. In other words, we recognize that 'consciousness' also has a 'creative component'; one (a creative component) which we were unaware of previously.

Ultimately, we come to realize that all of 'external reality' is/was the 'context' (container) of consciousness and that 'consciousness' (our true 'self') exists, eternally, outside of space/time.

'Ultimate reality'?
'Ultimate reality' is that we 'think and will' the ephemeral external reality into existence. 'Consciousness' has the power to weave a compelling 'illusion' and whatever 'illusion' we have woven remains in place.... lifetime after lifetime, after lifetime.... until we 'consciously' change the external illusion by decompiling the illusion 'from within'.

The investigation of consciousness by consciousness has not, typically, been a process of mainstream science but is, however, the underpinning of metaphysics (a branch of philosophy).

Bottom line: (Opinion) 'Man' at his/her 'root' has a 'divine component' that can and does 'fade into the background' in order to make the external 'reality' seem more 'real'. The fading of the divine component is (ultimately) temporary ('temporary' = eternity minus some duration) and is ever-present even though, at times, it is undiscernable.
The 'divine component' is, typically, in an 'inverse proportion' to the human ego. As the human ego is diminished the divine component 'resurrects'... as the human ego is fortified the divine component withdraws.

Religion, somewhat, addresses the issue of the transitory nature of external material reality and places its emphasis upon 'the creator' rather than the 'created'.
In other words, it (religion) attempts to encourage us to 'dis-empower' the illusion of self and externals, and to set us upon the path (one of them) that leads to the discovery of our 'higher' divine self.

Metaphysics, with its particular reason and logic, does the same thing as religion except that metaphysics takes a more 'scientific' approach. Metaphysics places 'consciousness' within the chain of causality (cause / effect) and recognizes that 'consciousness' participates in both 'cause' and 'effect'.

So... if we turn the 'microscope' of science around 180 degrees and then look into the other end... then this is what we will find:
1) Consciousness, eternally interfacing with
2) Raw creative power, leading to
3) infinite expression and experience in an eternal context

The hmmmm.... 'blessed trinity' of 'ultimate reality'.

If there is a 'dilemma', anywhere in this cosmology, then the 'dilemma' is that 'consciousness' can, eventually, produce a 'conundrum' which is the manifestation of a situation that is so blindingly compelling that 'ultimate reality' no longer seems possible. We can (and do) create compelling illusions which can 'hold us fast' in a temporal and material context.... and this is 'the only downside' of 'God'.... to create an illusion (game, adventure, etc.) and have that illusion be so compelling that 'God' forgets that the illusion is un-real.
The way out? ...... to peel away the layers of present consciousness (by going within) and to, once again, uncover 'ultimate reality'.

To dismiss this cosmology as 'nonsense' underscores its accuracy. Why? Because 'consciousness' will then proceed to have the cosmology seem to be 'nonsense' by reinforcing the illusion's stature as 'real'.

We are both the chicken and the egg, and the cause of both.

'Metaphysics' is 'self-proving' and cannot provide 'proof' to anyone (other consciousnesses) other than 'the self'.

Clarity note:
A Rhesus monkey is trapped by placing nuts into a small-mouthed container which is attached to a tree or bush or some stationary object.
The Rhesus monkey sticks its hand into the bottle and graps a handful of the nuts and, as a result, cannot withdraw its engorged hand from the narrow mouth of the container. It remains in that condition and is easily captured because of its refusal to 'let go'.

An identical situation happens with the 'human' consciousness.
Unless we 'let go' of externals and 'go within' (to "peel away", etc.) we remain 'trapped' in the external illusion (temporal material reality) and can remain 'trapped' for a very, very long time.... lifetime after lifetime after lifetime..... refusing to 'let go' of our nuts!

.

[Mikal]

Play_dough....I find that most people who experience the spiritual and then proceed to study the metaphysical and philosophy (even myself at first) become somewhat confused about the function of the ego. I have discoved through my own experience that in the inner spiritual mystery, the diminishing of the ego and the rising or resurrection of the divine component is exactly as spiritually depicted...a sacred marraige..so therefore not so much a diminishing as it is a binding, bonding and unification process which amplifies the (Ego) sheathe of consciousness which now is fortified with the cognitive strength and ability to know the outer more greater environments of the world one is born into and the society one is to take part in....


Mikal

[mkirkpatrick]

LIFE is THE principle,there are no others,and we are the embodiments of it,we are LIFE!

Beneath the surface of outer being beats the pulse of life.If we fully know ourselves,this
reality becomes self-evident.






regards michael.

[Drifter]

Originally Posted by mkirkpatrick There is and can never be found any reality without,without is an illusion conjured by the senses,which trap mankind and feed him all kinds of false information,we as human beings,all manifested form,is the embodiment of an absolute eternal reality.When we look within ourselves we peel back the many layers,revealing finer and finer vibrations of livingness. We are in fact and in truth embodiments of a principle made manifest and animated by consciouness which is another aspect of the living life force. tbc regards michael.

Michael,
Thank you.

Have you read Timothy Freke's, "Lucid Living"?

Your description above coincides perfectly with scriptures of the divine manifestations, both past and recent, and 'philosophies' by those who are 'awakened'.

Namaste`
D.

[Drifter]

Originally Posted by Play_Dough I, for the most part, am in agreement with your extraordinarily insightful and illuminated comment. I wish to contribute to evolving your ideas. There is a 'reality' 'without' but the 'external reality' is a 'transitory reality' and not 'ultimate reality'. 'Science' is, for the most part, the investigator of the 'external reality' and scientific processes can and do discover 'laws' that govern the physical 'reality'. Howsoever, 'ultimate reality' will never be discerned or understood as long as 'consciousness' is projected 'outwardly'. 'Ultimate reality' (ultimate truth) can be and is discovered (Quote) "When we look within ourselves we peel back the many layers, revealing finer and finer vibrations of livingness." (End Quote). The key to grasping 'reality' (ultimate truth) is found by decompiling the human ego.... as you said, "to peel back the many layers" (of self) and to gradually and finally reveal (to the investigating consciousness) the 'root of consciousness'. What then is 'the root of consciousness'? The answer (opinion) is that consciousness has no 'root'. Consciousness is a 'thing unto itself' and exists independent of any other phenomena. Consciousness is not a by-product of biology but (rather) expresses (also) through biology, like water 'expressing' through a spigot. So, it seems that we (consciousness) begin our quest for 'ultimate reality' from 'within' (contained) the human experience but gradually come to realize that 'human' is the box that consciousness needs to 'think outside of'. As the layers (accessories) of consciousness are peeled away, we gradually discover purer and purer (i.e., fewer 'animal' attributes) expressions and experiences of consciousness. In the process of peeling away the multifarious layers of consciousness we also find that our thoughts and beliefs also had a part in 'shaping' the 'external ephemeral reality'. In other words, we recognize that 'consciousness' also has a 'creative component'; one (a creative component) which we were unaware of previously. Ultimately, we come to realize that all of 'external reality' is/was the 'context' (container) of consciousness and that 'consciousness' (our true 'self') exists, eternally, outside of space/time. 'Ultimate reality'? 'Ultimate reality' is that we 'think and will' the ephemeral external reality into existence. 'Consciousness' has the power to weave a compelling 'illusion' and whatever 'illusion' we have woven remains in place.... lifetime after lifetime, after lifetime.... until we 'consciously' change the external illusion by decompiling the illusion 'from within'. The investigation of consciousness by consciousness has not, typically, been a process of mainstream science but is, however, the underpinning of metaphysics (a branch of philosophy). Bottom line: (Opinion) 'Man' at his/her 'root' has a 'divine component' that can and does 'fade into the background' in order to make the external 'reality' seem more 'real'. The fading of the divine component is (ultimately) temporary ('temporary' = eternity minus some duration) and is ever-present even though, at times, it is undiscernable. The 'divine component' is, typically, in an 'inverse proportion' to the human ego. As the human ego is diminished the divine component 'resurrects'... as the human ego is fortified the divine component withdraws. Religion, somewhat, addresses the issue of the transitory nature of external material reality and places its emphasis upon 'the creator' rather than the 'created'. In other words, it (religion) attempts to encourage us to 'dis-empower' the illusion of self and externals, and to set us upon the path (one of them) that leads to the discovery of our 'higher' divine self. Metaphysics, with its particular reason and logic, does the same thing as religion except that metaphysics takes a more 'scientific' approach. Metaphysics places 'consciousness' within the chain of causality (cause / effect) and recognizes that 'consciousness' participates in both 'cause' and 'effect'. So... if we turn the 'microscope' of science around 180 degrees and then look into the other end... then this is what we will find: 1) Consciousness, eternally interfacing with 2) Raw creative power, leading to 3) infinite expression and experience in an eternal context The hmmmm.... 'blessed trinity' of 'ultimate reality'. If there is a 'dilemma', anywhere in this cosmology, then the 'dilemma' is that 'consciousness' can, eventually, produce a 'conundrum' which is the manifestation of a situation that is so blindingly compelling that 'ultimate reality' no longer seems possible. We can (and do) create compelling illusions which can 'hold us fast' in a temporal and material context.... and this is 'the only downside' of 'God'.... to create an illusion (game, adventure, etc.) and have that illusion be so compelling that 'God' forgets that the illusion is un-real. The way out? ...... to peel away the layers of present consciousness (by going within) and to, once again, uncover 'ultimate reality'. To dismiss this cosmology as 'nonsense' underscores its accuracy. Why? Because 'consciousness' will then proceed to have the cosmology seem to be 'nonsense' by reinforcing the illusion's stature as 'real'. We are both the chicken and the egg, and the cause of both. 'Metaphysics' is 'self-proving' and cannot provide 'proof' to anyone (other consciousnesses) other than 'the self'. Clarity note: A Rhesus monkey is trapped by placing nuts into a small-mouthed container which is attached to a tree or bush or some stationary object. The Rhesus monkey sticks its hand into the bottle and graps a handful of the nuts and, as a result, cannot withdraw its engorged hand from the narrow mouth of the container. It remains in that condition and is easily captured because of its refusal to 'let go'. An identical situation happens with the 'human' consciousness. Unless we 'let go' of externals and 'go within' (to "peel away", etc.) we remain 'trapped' in the external illusion (temporal material reality) and can remain 'trapped' for a very, very long time.... lifetime after lifetime after lifetime..... refusing to 'let go' of our nuts! .

In my studies of Eastern philosophies and of Westerners who have studied Eastern Philosophies, their conclusions all converge on the one point that Awareness is the Primal Point, and that "consciousness" is a relative by-product developed through our 'natural beingness, cultural upbringing and our conditioning from infancy, for example, a baby has "Awareness", a baby's relative consciousness at infancy does not go far beyond seeing, hearing, smelling, tasteing and feeling. which are the building blocks Awareness facilitates to its offspring, 'consciousness' for 'grooming' itself into a model of Life itself.

When Awareness, knows Sensation, consciousness is, born/arises.

When Father, 'knows' Mother, child(thought-offspring), is born.

Thus have I heard. mho

Namaste`
D.

[Drifter]

Originally Posted by Play_Dough I, for the most part, am in agreement with your extraordinarily insightful and illuminated comment. I wish to contribute to evolving your ideas. There is a 'reality' 'without' but the 'external reality' is a 'transitory reality' and not 'ultimate reality'. 'Science' is, for the most part, the investigator of the 'external reality' and scientific processes can and do discover 'laws' that govern the physical 'reality'. Howsoever, 'ultimate reality' will never be discerned or understood as long as 'consciousness' is projected 'outwardly'. 'Ultimate reality' (ultimate truth) can be and is discovered (Quote) "When we look within ourselves we peel back the many layers, revealing finer and finer vibrations of livingness." (End Quote). The key to grasping 'reality' (ultimate truth) is found by decompiling the human ego.... as you said, "to peel back the many layers" (of self) and to gradually and finally reveal (to the investigating consciousness) the 'root of consciousness'. What then is 'the root of consciousness'? The answer (opinion) is that consciousness has no 'root'. Consciousness is a 'thing unto itself' and exists independent of any other phenomena. Consciousness is not a by-product of biology but (rather) expresses (also) through biology, like water 'expressing' through a spigot. So, it seems that we (consciousness) begin our quest for 'ultimate reality' from 'within' (contained) the human experience but gradually come to realize that 'human' is the box that consciousness needs to 'think outside of'. As the layers (accessories) of consciousness are peeled away, we gradually discover purer and purer (i.e., fewer 'animal' attributes) expressions and experiences of consciousness. In the process of peeling away the multifarious layers of consciousness we also find that our thoughts and beliefs also had a part in 'shaping' the 'external ephemeral reality'. In other words, we recognize that 'consciousness' also has a 'creative component'; one (a creative component) which we were unaware of previously. Ultimately, we come to realize that all of 'external reality' is/was the 'context' (container) of consciousness and that 'consciousness' (our true 'self') exists, eternally, outside of space/time. 'Ultimate reality'? 'Ultimate reality' is that we 'think and will' the ephemeral external reality into existence. 'Consciousness' has the power to weave a compelling 'illusion' and whatever 'illusion' we have woven remains in place.... lifetime after lifetime, after lifetime.... until we 'consciously' change the external illusion by decompiling the illusion 'from within'. The investigation of consciousness by consciousness has not, typically, been a process of mainstream science but is, however, the underpinning of metaphysics (a branch of philosophy). Bottom line: (Opinion) 'Man' at his/her 'root' has a 'divine component' that can and does 'fade into the background' in order to make the external 'reality' seem more 'real'. The fading of the divine component is (ultimately) temporary ('temporary' = eternity minus some duration) and is ever-present even though, at times, it is undiscernable. The 'divine component' is, typically, in an 'inverse proportion' to the human ego. As the human ego is diminished the divine component 'resurrects'... as the human ego is fortified the divine component withdraws. Religion, somewhat, addresses the issue of the transitory nature of external material reality and places its emphasis upon 'the creator' rather than the 'created'. In other words, it (religion) attempts to encourage us to 'dis-empower' the illusion of self and externals, and to set us upon the path (one of them) that leads to the discovery of our 'higher' divine self. Metaphysics, with its particular reason and logic, does the same thing as religion except that metaphysics takes a more 'scientific' approach. Metaphysics places 'consciousness' within the chain of causality (cause / effect) and recognizes that 'consciousness' participates in both 'cause' and 'effect'. So... if we turn the 'microscope' of science around 180 degrees and then look into the other end... then this is what we will find: 1) Consciousness, eternally interfacing with 2) Raw creative power, leading to 3) infinite expression and experience in an eternal context The hmmmm.... 'blessed trinity' of 'ultimate reality'. If there is a 'dilemma', anywhere in this cosmology, then the 'dilemma' is that 'consciousness' can, eventually, produce a 'conundrum' which is the manifestation of a situation that is so blindingly compelling that 'ultimate reality' no longer seems possible. We can (and do) create compelling illusions which can 'hold us fast' in a temporal and material context.... and this is 'the only downside' of 'God'.... to create an illusion (game, adventure, etc.) and have that illusion be so compelling that 'God' forgets that the illusion is un-real. The way out? ...... to peel away the layers of present consciousness (by going within) and to, once again, uncover 'ultimate reality'. To dismiss this cosmology as 'nonsense' underscores its accuracy. Why? Because 'consciousness' will then proceed to have the cosmology seem to be 'nonsense' by reinforcing the illusion's stature as 'real'. We are both the chicken and the egg, and the cause of both. 'Metaphysics' is 'self-proving' and cannot provide 'proof' to anyone (other consciousnesses) other than 'the self'. Clarity note: A Rhesus monkey is trapped by placing nuts into a small-mouthed container which is attached to a tree or bush or some stationary object. The Rhesus monkey sticks its hand into the bottle and graps a handful of the nuts and, as a result, cannot withdraw its engorged hand from the narrow mouth of the container. It remains in that condition and is easily captured because of its refusal to 'let go'. An identical situation happens with the 'human' consciousness. Unless we 'let go' of externals and 'go within' (to "peel away", etc.) we remain 'trapped' in the external illusion (temporal material reality) and can remain 'trapped' for a very, very long time.... lifetime after lifetime after lifetime..... refusing to 'let go' of our nuts! .

The purpose of consciousness is to know thy self.Collectively Awareness and Consciousness is the "I Am," That "I" Is. (and personally, I, wouldn't have it any other way)

There is always two sides to every coin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8YSZdC_4Ek

Namaste`
D.