1999-9-10 18:28:00
This flow thing presents an interesting possible journey into illusion while at the same time having the appearance of going beyond illusion. It is also interesting that the basic philosophy on this of Saul and many others of this viewpoint, and me are quite similar.
We agree on some basic metaphysical tenets which are as follows:
(1) There is one originating life and one composite life.
(2) Both good and evil are necessary and are two illusionary split offs of the one flow (for want of a better word).
(3) What is called good or evil in our world is basically what we define it to be individually or collectively.
(4) In the end all entities will realize their oneness with God and come (home) to it.
Where Saul and I disagree is in the application of these truths to basic reality. Correct me if I am wrong about your beliefs, but here is where I see it:
Saul: You are always going with the flow so everything you do is the right thing to do in the end. Therefore we should not judge any act as being good or bad. Even taking drugs or killing someone has no meaning in the final analysis.
JJ:
By putting your attention on some ultimate end, force or reality you are taking it away from the place that the Purpose of God intended it to be. Going to jail for five years may be a great learning experience, but should we then have such a relaxed attitude about it that we allow that to happen just because we will not consider this as "bad" 100 years from now or in the ultimate reality?
Not for me. I consider (or define it) it as "bad" now and this helps me avoid such a learning experience and to progress on to a more positive learning experience that gets me from A to B much quicker.
Quote from Saul: "Duality is not two being separated, but two being one. Good and evil are two aspects of the same flow. There is only one flow of energy or life. As it comes down to our experiences it appears to be two separated lines of forces opposed to each other. But in reality it remains one. There is no evil as a separated entity or force. We rationally separated the one force into two mutually exclusive forces and believe they are really separated. If there is not but one force, why the conclusion of taking drugs as bad and not taking drugs as good?
"If you believe that to take drugs is bad and not to take drugs is good you are to be true to yourself and stop taking drugs. If you however believe that taking drugs and not taking drugs are two expressions of one and same force, or taking drugs and not taking drugs occur alternately in the one process of evolution where would you see the good and the bad as separated in the whole?"
JJ:
Who sees it as separated from the whole?
In writing this way you give the impression that we should not have any concern about the results of our actions. If we want to yield to some nebulous flow and be a drug addict and kill for our stash that is fine because "taking drugs and not taking drugs are two expressions of one and same force."
You seem to be giving the impression that it is just fine to screw up our lives and cause unlimited pain to ourselves and others. Is that really what you intend to present here? Probably not, but it appears that way.
On the other hand, my thrust is to present teachings in harmony with all basic teachings of ancient wisdom of oneness, yet making them apply to creating better lives for us in the here and now.
It is true that we all learn our lessons in the end, but if going to jail for five years is something we want to avoid, why act like the delay of our liberation by perhaps millions of years and going through untold suffering and pain is no big deal? To us in the real world (real to us) this is a big deal so emphasis and attention must be put on the good and the bad (the dualities) as it applies collectively.
After all, all we have for happiness and joy is what we are going through in the present. Consequently, the present for us is a big deal and it is not "evil" to make it so. Such is not out of harmony with the oneness of the soul, the intuition or the Purpose of God.
Copyright 1999 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved