Greatest gift

Month, Day: Questions, Dominion (Perfection)

Questions is coming to an end, and there is still so much to consider. Fortunately, the cycles will continue, so we'll see this again.

Now, one question involves looking around for an explanation of what the 'science' might be that it can be compatible with religion. Well, this 'science' would have to arise from human efforts to know God's Creation; as well, it turns out that there are plenty examples from which we could build a definition.

So, what is the gift considered the greatest? Well, our intellect that allows science.

Of course, many views will not allow science to begin with a gift from God. So, part of the discussion here would start to lay out where the audacity to do such a thing is going to be required.

Remarks:

06/11/2009 -- Science and Religion.

Modified: 06/11/2009

We know

Month, Day: Questions, Questions (Independence)

Not only do we know, if we wish to accept it as so, there is an operational aspect that is unerring. One might even say that applied science, in the sense of engineering, uses this all the time. And, notions like dampening and centralizing are part of the knowledge.

On the other hand, even if we do not wish to accept it, it is. That is, the brights may have some limited or temporal influence; lastingness, though, is not impacted.

So, as said before, we know more than one way. And, the continued presence of Writings adds to the basis.

The Hidden Words summarizes what was said to that time: This is that which hath descended from the realm of glory, uttered by the tongue of power and might, and revealed unto the Prophets of old. We have taken the inner essence thereof and clothed it in the garment of brevity, as a token of grace unto the righteous, that they may stand faithful unto the Covenant of God, may fulfill in their lives His trust, and in the realm of spirit obtain the gem of Divine virtue.

The 7V4V combination addresses a lot about phylogeny of ourselves and knowledge.

Collectively, everything else in the Writings is vast, yet kernels are there for our use. How this is so is part of why we have Questions.

Remarks:

05/17/2011 -- Stephen gets press.

05/09/2011 -- We need a constructive re-look.

10/11/2009 -- Will, an operational imperative for science.

06/11/2009 -- Science and Religion.

12/27/2008 - Though we know, it may not appear so to others. That is a conundrum, to say the least. And, we all know that we all do, or can, err.

Also, we are alone in being judged, yet we are expected to team and collaborate. As mentioned, the 7V4V can be used to understand this.

Modified: 05/17/2011

Science by another Name

Month, Day: Questions, Mercy (Justice)

One might say that science has been interloped. Consider what might be an endeavor based upon a topsy-turvy view starting from Creation and what this might allow us to know. That is, a mathematics founded thusly for starters.

SAQ #37: Therefore, reflect that different peoples of the world are revolving around imaginations and are worshipers of the idols of thoughts and conjectures. They are not aware of this; they consider their imaginations to be the Reality which is withdrawn from all comprehension and purified from all descriptions. They regard themselves as the people of Unity, and the others as worshipers of idols; but idols at least have a mineral existence, while the idols of thoughts and the imaginations of man are but fancies; they have not even mineral existence. “Take heed ye who are endued with discernment.”

Remarks:

12/07/2009 -- Motivational musings, especially topology.

Modified: 12/07/2009

Questions and more

Month, Day: Questions, Splendour (Independence)
Month, Day: Questions, Beauty (Beauty)

This is a central theme, especially for science, both operationally and theoretically. Science (as the greatest gift) does not exist without questions.

Now, we have a whole month to contemplate and explore things related to the topic. Of course, one month is not sufficient, but the proper focus can bolster our audacity.

Part of the discussion will look at the growing role of the artificial in terms of what it might mean to us. Notice, for instance, the interests of the brights.

Another part of the discussion will look at how we know, such as through effort or intuitively. We can take this further in an useful way as we look at four ways of acquiring knowledge (SAQ #83) in terms of an operational approach to science. The following are the ways in the order as specified (much significance here).

• Senses - Not only would we need to consider that only a few things are directly available to ourselves, with limits by time and locale, our senses have been augmented in very many ways. In fact, looking at what the artificial (see above) there is really no end to how far we can push this. Though, at some point, any abstraction chain breaks away from reality. Yet, as we have already seen, the human race is capable of seeing far beyond the horizon (to wit, those things supporting cosmology) and beneath surface (that related to physics in the small) and everywhere in-between.
  
• Reason - Which then leads to the way of thought (see below) and, naturally, to mathematics and logic. The limit of reason has been extensively discussed in the last few centuries, but one important concept to remember in this case is quasi-empircisim. In actuality, reason encompasses much more than just thought as we have learned quite well due to our computer prowess.
  
• Tradition - In a sense, this is acquired knowledge as the first two involve more processing. This knowledge would include how the first two are handled and involve a myriad of issues, such as paradigms, practices, etc.
  
• Holy Spirit - Too much to cover here for this brief post, yet consider that the man-in-the-loop emphasis of some complex problem solving techniques make use of this reality, suggesting, of course, borgs and man-bots as we could expect from the 4th Valley.
  

We can also talk about how we tick, so to speak. These two lists can be mapped various ways and relate, to boot, to other Writings, such as the 7V4V. For now, here are the two lists (SAQ #56).

• "Five powers that perceive outer existences" (acknowledging, of course, the realness of existence SAQ #79) - seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and feeling
• "Spiritual powers" (see the chain of perception explained) - imagination, thought, comprehension, and memory.
• "Common to the outward and inward" (notice the 4th way of acquiring knowledge, above) - common faculty

This type of exposition can continue all across the Writings. Let's put one more which indicates that in/out and before/after are two intuitions that are of extreme importance.

Remarks:

03/17/2011 -- Just as St. Patrick carried the message, so too ought we act to bring forth a proper viewpoint.

08/16/2009 -- The Operational group is approaching, and ontology is primal. One area of focus, as suggested by this post, will be mind-body studies. Somehow, insights from the Writings ought to have importance, teleological and operational.

05/29/2009 -- The Transcendent baffles.

Modified: 03/17/2011

7 Valleys: True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness

Month, Day: Speech, Will (Justice)

Continuing with the series on the 7 Valleys that has these four entries.

• Search, Love
• Knowledge, Unity
• Contentment, Wonderment
• True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness
  

The original is a meditation from about 12 years ago. Comments are found in italics.

---

True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness --

Again, a big Valley.

Earlier, "camphor" was mentioned earlier in relation to the madonna/child experience. However, for adults, some who meditate know of this.

• Why is it that there is no explicit discipline, within the Faith, oriented to attaining a spiritual life that makes use of "camphor"? Will these arise?
• It may relate to the Cave, see Second Valley page.
  
• However, we are told to pray, reflect, etc.

By the way, the higher brain (neural) activities come into play here, too. Since, only "Ecstasy alone can encompass this theme ... not utterance", we can only be short (Contentment says heart-to-heart).

• Consider, humans can demonstrate flow (physically, mentally, ...) that is extremely effective in which state being is of essence (poverty and nothingness, indeed).
  

But, consider the final part which mentions the chord aspect (single step). The Words on this contain "furthermost" and "first" which may suggest how we might view the 7 and the 4.

• Did I mention topology?
• Science is not, by necessity, heart-less.
  

Remarks:

12/23/2009 -- About the chordal.

Modified: 12/23/2009