Monakhos

1. God is a projection of the human self.

Of all the points mentioned in the my last real post, this one needs the most explanation. At a glance this definition is inadequate and only covers a subset of the whole. After some explanation, however, I think I will be able to explain how this definition is all-inclusive.

God is a projection of the human self. What exactly does this mean? The first thing that needs to be established in this scenario, is the definition of the human self. It may differ from other’s definitions, but it is the best term to describe the concept. The human self is a collection of the individual (if such a thing exists) and all of the internal external influences that shape that individual. A ball of dough is the self. At first the dough may appear to be one thing and cast one projection, but throughout its life it can be shaped and formed by external ‘hands’ as well as its own makeup (i.e. chemical properties, etc.) So, while God may appear to be one thing at one stage in life,  God’s properties (shadow) could easily change throughout the existence of the individual, depending on internal and external influences. Religion is a group of people molding other people to see God, and in turn, morality in a specific light. This reminds me a little bit of the allegory of the cave in Plato’s ‘Republic.’

This explains some perspectives, but still does not consider the perspective of God as Isness (which Jon brought up in the last post’s comments.) An individual can look at his or her projection, and see some sort of God in it. There are lines, there is white and black and gray. It seems like it could offer a complete perspective on life. Some, however, will look at the projection, look at themselves, and see that the projection is nice, but it doesn’t really account for everything out there. He or she may notice that other’s projections are different, or that other people’s projections are shaped a lot by what their religion says. Whatever the case may be, when looking at the projection, an individual may look at his or her reflection and realize that it is just a projection, and that it isn’t really God, but simply a projection, and that everyone else’s projection is their own as well.

Once someone is at this point, an individual may see that God isn’t really there at all, but just some lines on a wall. What is present is a group of individuals, searching for what they already are. Most people don’t realize it and never will. A few will realize it and go crazy. A few will realize it and embrace it. The individual will realize he or she is free. Everyone is. There aren’t any rules, there’s no morality, just some silly lines on a wall. At this point, there’s no need.

… I think that’s it, but I’ll probably clarify a little bit more next time. Let me know if you think I’m totally out in left field (or is it right field, I forget which the phrase is… Oh well.)

I started my first day at a new job today. It was somewhat of a relief to get out of the atmosphere of the last days of my former job. Not because I didn’t like the job or because I didn’t like the people, but because the company had decided to merge my division with a recent acquisition, and as a result, our entire product line was being thrown away. The product line I had spent countless hours working on. So, rather than find another job in the company, I moved to an ad agency in town.

So far it’s a really nice encouraging atmosphere. It’s a small team with big dreams. It seems like the sky is the limit and that is very encouraging. I’ll post some once some of my work goes live.

On a spiritual note, I’ve been re-reading a great book on Feng Shui named “Clearing Your Clutter with Feng Shui” by Karen Kingston. It’s a great book (as is the other one on Feng Shui by the same author. It really makes you think about simple ways to make your area a better place to live. I would recommend reading it even if you don’t consider yourself a clutterholic.

I don’t know why I have been gone so long. Not much to write about. I read this quote last week, though, and thought to post it. It’s from The Fall by Albert Camus. For some reason I found it very interesting.

A natural balcony fifteen hundred feet above a sea still visible bathed in sunlight, on the other hand, was the place where I could breathe most freely, especially if I were alone, well above the human ants. I could readily understand why sermons, decisive preachings, and fire miracles took place on accessible heights. In my opinion no one meditated in cellars or prison cells (unless they were situated in a tower with a broad view); one just became moldy. And I could understand the man who, having entered holy orders, gave up the frock because his cell instead of overlooking a vast landscape as he expected, looked out on a wall. Rest assured that as far as I was concerned I did not grow moldy. At every hour of the day, within myself and among others, I would scale the heights and light conspicuous fires, and a joyful greeting would rise toward me. Thus at least I took pleasure in life and in my own excellence.

The Fall - Albert Camus (Justin O’Brien - tr)

There is a lot more in the book to talk about, but that will come later.

This evening I looked in the mirror and saw a stranger. It puzzled me for a second until I realized it was me. I stared at my image for a few minutes and pondered the idea that I am encapsulated inside of this shell. It was a weird feeling. I’ve been thinking about it sense then. It made me remember the form of meditation that asks the question “what am I?” I really felt for that moment that I understood that I am not my body or any of its attributes. I simply am.

I decided this afternoon that I would start the new year out right. Daily meditation and the study of sacred texts are two things that need to play a more prominent role in my life. I started the habit off with a selection from The Philokalia—a collection of writings by mystical Orthodox priests and monks compiled by St Nikodimos and St Makarios. I plan to continue reading through the entire work, posting about various selections I have read (probably with some breaks in between - the entire work is split into four volumes!)

The first section of The Philokalia is a collection of excerpts from a writing by St Isaiah, who lived in the deserts of Egypt and Palestine around the 5^th century, on guarding the intellect. The mind is a battlefield and unless if one is mindful and keeps it guarded, an individual cannot have communion with God.

Unless a man hates all the activity of this world, he cannot worship God. (v13)

The first virtue is detachment, that is, death in relation to every person or thing. This produces the desire for God, and this in turn gives rise to the anger that is in accordance with nature, and that flares up against all the tricks of the enemy. Then the fear of God will establish itself within us, and through this fear love will be made manifest. (v25)

We have practiced virtue and done what is right, turning our desire towards God and His will, and directing our incensive power, or wrath, against the devil and sin. What then do we still lack? Inward meditation. (v26)

This whole reading reminded me of the Dhammapada and other Buddhist scriptures. The mind is constantly being attacked by evil and the flesh is a distraction from unity with God. Only once we understand that we are not our minds (thoughts) and achieve detachment from our bodies can we really fix anything. Once we do realize this detachment; however, a whole new world is uncovered. We manifest an “anger in accordance with nature” (to put it the way St Isaiah put it) against evil. We are able to truly love. We are one with God (theosis.)