“Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:6-7
Nothing has meaning
Nihilism- the undoing of belief, where belief is nothingness. It is the story of annihilation of the human spirit. The plot and ploy to instill nothingness– to determine that nothingness be willed in the heart of man. Life has no meaning or value (existential nihilism); there is no right or wrong, no good or evil (moral nihilism); all knowledge and beliefs are baseless (epistemological nihilism); reality does not exist (metaphysical nihilism).
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” II Corinthians 4:16-18
Visual Perception
Imagine for a moment, that what your eyes see, which is based on knowledge of visual perception and optics; knowledge which has been formulated through centuries of study, empirical data, and true to form scientific evidence; imagine for a moment that the science on which our interpretation of the visual world is based, has a determined gap or opening for persistent illusion; and that this gap for illusion, can forcefully mislead your senses and your reality in a duplicitous way.
Your eyesight is how you visually see the world. Your eyes collect visual information from light in the environment, and your brain processes and interprets this light. This is your visual perception. Your visual perception, along with all other information from sensory inputs from the environment, make up your perception of the world.
Visual System
Looking at the world through your eyes is an instantaneous process. Visible light in your environment reflects off the objects in your field of view and enters your eye. The reflected light rays enter the eye through the cornea. The cornea refracts (bends) the light rays, the light rays then passes through to the lens which focuses the light into an image onto the retina. The retina converts the light photons of the image into electrical signals which are carried by the optic nerve to the visual cortex of the brain where it is processed. All in an instant.
What we see is essentially light reflection and refraction. It’s all about light. Light informs what our eyes see in the visual world. It is the basis for our reality of the visual world.
Illusion
Now, visual perception can be tricky. The scientific study of optics shows us that important details of how light behaves and how light properties interact with matter is still a mystery. Sensory stimuli from light in the environment has a premise of being openly available for tricking the brain. We see this with illusions. Illusion can easily interplay with reality. An illusion is a confusion of the senses and a distortion of how our brains normally interpret sensory stimuli. Illusions distort our general perception of what we know to be reality or true.
So, if perception is how we understand the world through sensory information; is perception everything in understanding our reality? Can you trust your senses? Can you trust what your eyes see to be true?
What is True
In philosophy there are several schools of thought regarding knowledge of truth. There is empiricism, which states that knowledge comes only from sensory experience such as observation. Rationalism states that reason and applying logic is the primary source and test of knowledge. And there is innatism, which suggests that not all knowledge is gained from sensory experience but rather that the mind is born with knowledge not learned.
So, we have two ideas: 1) No knowledge enters the mind except through the senses, 2) There are eternal unchanging truths which are known by the mind not by the senses.
Science is wholly committed to one; the other says the senses can mislead you.
So, do we wholly accept our interpretation of sensory information presented by the environment? Or are our brains primed to be misled? Is it prudent to rely solely on our senses to inform our reality, knowing we can be misled by illusion and optics?…
Or is there a divine or innate knowing which we can believe, embrace, and rely on, despite what we see?
“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Proverbs 27:12
19th Century
Seven delicate years in, and the 19th century was developing proudly. Puffed up- with a head crowned heavily with death and injustice in its formative years, it knew nothing of true freedom. Still fixed to stubbornness but the years grew wise in knowledge of what progress looks like. Injustice had a name, inequality grew shameful. A higher purpose was the calling. Visions of unity echoed out the mouths of babes.
The future had steam; the years had the momentum of industry. It pushed us forward come hell or high water.
20th Century
The 20thcentury had undercurrents of hope and change not fully realized but inevitable. We moved with the civil rights movement. It made us better, humanity became stronger.
21st Century
Information takes its place, the good and the destructive. Widespread and primed for manipulation, the 21st century has information technology fast and furious. Now, as we methodically advance through time, shaking in our knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs- what is our melody? Are we in tune?
The future has a sound. I hear it. It is intelligent beyond words. Beyond our imagination but of our imagination. The music is captivating. The drums are ominous, but the strings are soothing. The horns, harmonious. And the score is arranged for us to abstract the notes of who we are, and where we’re going.
“evil persons and impostors will keep on going from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were, and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:13-15
Symbolism Usage
It’s remarkable how images and symbols impress our minds. The implanting of an idea that elicits connection or relationship, with emotion, and the extent to which it subliminally echoes is astounding.
Symbolism is the use of symbols or images to represent and convey ideas and meanings. Symbolism is found everywhere and is used in a variety of ways. The most prevalent and pervasive use of symbolism is through the media, in entertainment: TV, Radio, Books, Newspapers, Magazines, Internet, etc. Symbolism can speak to our conscious mind or subversively speak to our subconscious mind. As such, symbolism can be used in both good and bad ways.
Symbolism Transmission
The transmission of an idea can be crude or well crafted; it can be obvious or inconspicuous, overt or hidden. But when an idea is well placed, it replicates, multiplies, spreads, “goes viral”. It starts in the mind with symbolisms that represent ideas. Like language, which is a system of symbols and signs, information is communicated, and our brains process the information that is transmitted. Transmitted symbols transform into thoughts and beliefs, which eventually drive our actions. What then, when symbolism is nefariously deployed through systems?
Symbolism Affect
The gears turn in our minds; our difference engines. We hope to intelligently determine wise steps to take in life and move forward in our free will; learning from mistakes, lamenting our perceived missteps, reassessing, making our corrections, moving forward, and always checking in with our hearts. What then, when our thoughts are not our own, but rather unnaturally elicited thoughts and responses that determine our form and function? What then, when we are maneuvered by the mechanics of abstract symbolisms used in violation of our willful minds? What then shall we say when we are where we are in spite of ourselves?
“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.” 1 Peter 1:13
Electrical Currents
Electricity, current, frequency; flows through us and is all around us. Our brains and bodies busy with electrical activity, electrical signals running messages throughout. We are all very charged, and full of energy, and it’s all very stimulating inside and out.
The caution here is to be aware of interactions that agitate our internal states from normal; creating too much disturbance or excitement.
Modulate
Think of the body’s excitatory potential and also of its inhibitory effects, and the body’s stabilizing functions. Our bodies are incredibly stabilizing.
Now think of the things that are conflicting and abnormal; things adversely impacting mood, inducing stress, or causing ineffectual activity, misfiring cells etc.- The things that are stimulating in a dreadful way. Think of the things in the environment that communicate with our internal environments with the potential to overwhelm our senses; the things causing out of control overactivity, and causing an overworked brain and body.
Our make-up functions properly without deficiencies and without disorder, with proper cellular communication. Deficiencies and disorders are divergent to our make-up. Therefore, eliminate deficiency and prevent disorder.
Back to Normal
The direction here is to outmaneuver the amplified frequencies increasing in nature for a more peaceful, quieter, brain and body- one that is active, but growing and developing in a healthy way. Circumvent the overexcitement of the day- day by day.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
Maintain Peace, Resist Change
Your body’s constant is to seek to maintain homeostasis. It self-regulates to survive, keeping the balance between the body and environment. Your body’s built-in goal is to maintain optimal functioning by regulating responses to internal and external stimuli to benefit your health. The body’s Soul purpose resists anything that interferers with its divine order. That is the fight. Your body’s delegation and mandate is to resist the world and its exacerbating influence.
How do you support the harmony your body so dutifully calls for? Are you actively bringing peace into your environment? Are you counteracting harmful influences and negating chaotic effects? Are you prioritizing your physical health, mental health, and spiritual health?
Natural sense for peace
The external environment offers stimuli that may or may not be to your benefit. Sensory stimuli for visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory, and somatosensory systems, all introduce change to your body. And it is your body’s gift of duty or divine order to measure these changes to your benefit.
Your state of being is naturally opposed to harmful changes. Your body naturally reacts to stimulus in healthy ways under healthy conditions. In a way, this is a sense for peace in your internal environment.
In a world of wildly swinging pendulums, where people are attracted to extremes, it is good to know and understand that at least your body fights against harmful effects for balance and stability. It is good to know and understand that your very being seeks peace.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27
Influence by Bondage
The cycle of influence by bondage in the world, is like the ouroboros- the serpent eating its own tail. The cycle is persistent, and the effect is perpetual suffering because the course is cyclical. There is no escape from man made constructs that determine influence, and there is no escape from the negative elements that hold sway. This is societal torment. This is in opposition to love. This is the control of the mind which is predisposed to imbalance.
Peace of Mind & Heart
Now the heart you’ll find uncompromising. It beats steadfast with life purpose. The heart is less ruled or controlled and less volatile. It is independent. You can hold peace in the heart.
The heart is central and fundamental. It is fearless in its duties, promoting life and love. Unswayed, but the heart is vulnerable to attack if unprotected.
So, protect the heart you must. There is a battle in this world for each and every person. The conflict between the heart and the mind.
Battle for Heart & Mind
As influence looms to besiege the heart’s independence, it employs to make the heart sick. It works to harden the heart. To eject all peace and instill fear.
It is your right to push back against the persistent cycle of influence in the world. To connect back to Truth and its freedom. Question everything, hear, then feel with your heart. Cause your own independent, personal awareness. Hone what you believe. Connect to what brings you peace.
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)” Ephesians 5:8-9
Lighting a candle or building a small fire is a peaceful thing. It calms. It evokes a sentimentality. Could it be that it reminds us of a simpler life? That we connect to memories of small quite gatherings lit by the warmth of a fire- A time before the modern unnatural- at home with the quiet flicker of candles or a wood fire. A time of comfort in communion or in solitude.
Putting flame to dance for a moment, in the quiet of our presence, as it lights up the darkness, is akin to revelation. When we are revealed, we are actively in concert with lighting up the darkness in our immediate presence. This active belief is like our basic survival instinct, and it connects to what brings us peace. Without that which brings us peace, we are self-destructive.
Distant affixed memories of what brings us peace automatically resonate with us. Therefore, relax into that which brings peace and concurrently connect back to that light which brings us life.
“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16: 1-3
The search for knowledge in a wild or aggressive way is rooted in materialism. It is related to the physical therefore beyond man’s ravenous ambition for transcendence through knowledge. The wild search for knowledge is built of ego. And although the ego, in concept is metaphysical, it is bound by the soul and earthly in nature. Attempts at piercing the veil never was. The search for secret knowledge is ages old. A search for knowledge beyond the veil, out of one’s mind. It is the ego’s attempt to be more than special, more than gifted, more than graced, more than loved, more than…
Knowledge, however, is not a power grab. It is not to be usurped. Knowledge is given as wisdom and insight. It is graced and gifted through specific and special experience. It is given in love and should be received with patience.
The search for knowledge in a wild or aggressive way is forever carnal. Forever rabid for divine supremacy. Knowledge tempting to offer sovereignty beyond your wildest dreams. Gnosis. As foreboding as Icarus in flight. This wild knowledge calls from the abyss (outside the bounds). What then when you stare into the abyss, and the abyss stares into you?
