How did good and evil become innate characteristics of the human composition? The moment
"mankind" was lit by the fire of self consciousness and saw its nakedness, the consciousness of duality was born along with all opposites, thus the idea of good and evil. The ignition of self consciousness is allegorically represented in Genesis of the Old Testament, by the story of Adam and Eve's actions in the Garden of Eden. Lord God allowed Adam and Eve to live blissfully in the Garden of Eden, but imposed one condition , not to eat of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. (much to reason about in this story) Eve is tempted and enticed by the serpent to eat of the forbidden fruit. She succumed and ate the fruit and then in turn tempts Adam, who succumbed and also eats the fruit. Prior to the ignition of self consciousness, "mankind" existed in a mindless state of consciousness somewhat akin to the current state of instinct exhibited in the animal kingdom. This state of consciousness is described as "bliss" in this biblical story. "Mankind," at this stage of evolution0n was amoral, could no more do immoral acts then could deliberately and self consciousness do moral acts. Adam and Eve's allegorical eating of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil symbolized "mankind's" psycho-spiritual evolutionary transition of consciousness, from the former psycho-spiritual, blissful, amoral state of consciousness, to the struggles and confusion of self-consciousness- the knowing and choosing between the opposites, good and evil.
***The above understanding puts the origination of good and evil on a more comprehensible level, but the philosophical difficulty delineating where Infinite God disappears to make room for evil still remains. This is a very difficult doctrine to comprehend. Its greatest difficulty however, is not so much in its comprehension, but in clearing the mind from the commonly held anthropomorphic ideas of God and the devil. The idea of a Causeless Cause, an Infinite God, is an abstraction of the very highest order, and regardless of skills in metaphysics and philosophy, human reason would have to be stretched to its ultimate limits in order to attain a shadow of comprehension. Can there be any wonder why attempts at such a great feat of comprehension would be loaded with projections of human personality and attributes? Notwithstanding such difficulties an explanation is forthcoming by using teachings from some of the ancient sages and seers of our world.
***A fundamental point to keep in mind through out this explanation is that Infinite God cannot create because of its infiniteness. Creation , in all of its forms, is a manifestation of the finite.
For an Infinite God to create, It must some how transform Its infiniteness into the finite, which is a logical absurdity. The Uncaused Cause does not issue forth manifestation, but periodically exhibits different aspects of Itself. The same idea expressed another way is, the Unknowable, as It could not create, conceived, breathed out, issued forth a thought that emanated manifesting Powers. The adjectives used here to describe the deific process of the manifestation of the point of first manifestation are inadequate. "Breathed in or out" is the expression used by ancient Hindu texts, and probably come the closest to an acceptable description of this great process. Keep in mind however, that the moment one begins an explanation of the Unknowable- a logical impossibility, it immediately brakes down, no matter how well words or symbols are used. These emanating Powers that are breathed out from Infinite God, become the matrix for the building of our planetary system, and it is these emanated Powers that the human intellect deals, not with the Infinite God. After breathing out the emanated Powers, infinite God remains , irrevocably fixed in Its sphere of divinity, letting the emanating Powers architect and build the worlds.
The thought thread, breathed out from Infinite God remains within the emanating Powers as the bases, foundation, unity of all manifested multiplications and permutations that issued forth. A useful analogy for this process can be drawn from our Sun and its emanating rays. The Sun sitting irrevocably in its orbit, emanates its life giving essence, as rays, which in turn build, grow, and maintain the many manifested forms within our solar system. Another useful aid in gaining insight into the process is studying the Pythagorean Tetraktys.
-------------------- ---0 apex
---------------------- 0 0
-------------------- 0 0 0
------------------ 0 0 0 0 total 10
-----------------Tetraktys
***The Tetraktys are a paradigm representing the process of manifestation from its apex, representing the point of first manifestation- the point at which Infinite God's thought takes form- and the vertical hierarchy of relation between Unity (Infinite God's thought) and emerging multiplicity. The same idea expressed in another way is, the Tetraktys are an image of unity (Infinite God's thought) starting at the One, proceeding through four levels of manifestation, and returning to unity, the sum, Ten. Wherein, One represents the point, Two represents the line, Three represents the surface, and Four represents the first three-dimensional form.
***Again a reminder, the most important point to be taken out of this very difficult discussion is to keep separate Infinite God from "hands on" creation of our Solar System, and more particularly Earth. The architects and builders of our Solar System are the thoughts forms or emanating Powers issued from Infinite God. These Powers are set in a hierarchy, starting from the highest, the first manifestation or the One, the most ethereal, through a multitude of substantive gradations to the lowest, the most material. It is they, directed by Infinite God's thoughts forms, who architect, build, sustain,and evolve our solar system. It is in this process of manifestation-the crystallization of spirit, that produces the force of opposition, and it is this force of opposition that provides a matrix, a sheath, a soul around which spirit can be manifest, ... "and the word was made flesh..." The consequence of this cosmic, adversarial tension is self-awareness. Infinite God's pure essence remains within Its sphere of divinity, Its ray is clothed, or skinned or veiled by increasing gradations of matter, until the veil is lifted high enough for the fire of self-consciousness to be ignited-following the Great Cycle of Evolution. It is the self-awareness of our own life, our own ego life, that produces the idea of separateness. It is that idea of separateness which is the initiator of evil.
***The concept of the devil as a substantive being and adversary of their God is so basic to the doctrines of Christianity, that any inquiry into his existence seems to most Christians, heretical, even blasphemous. The devil is wrapped so thick and tight with fear that most Christians are troubled by the mere thought of him. Most Christians adopt an attitude of fearful avoidance when it comes to any conceptual contact with the devil, leaving such to the demon "experts" the preachers, evangelists, and priests. Not only are most Christians fearful of any association with the devil, but also terrified by the wrath incurred by their God and by their Church for such association, (remember the history of the religious inquisitions). The only condition under which the devil can be related to without fear and terror is to use him to "scape goat" some of the responsibility of sinful conduct. "The devil made me do it. I take some responsibility for my conduct, but the devil initiated my will to act badly, thus releasing me from full responsibility."
***Keeping in mind the great fear, the divine and ecclesiastical wrath, and the ironic, moral relief surrounding the concept of the devil, it isn't difficult to understand the great volatility inherent in any examination. I am certain that many Christians reading this essay will believe me to be a dupe of the devil or worse, that I am a voluntary companion. I can assure the reader, I am no dupe or companion of the devil, since I have no belief in such an being.
***Yet, regardless of the great fear, horror, and volatility present in the traditional doctrine of the devil there is a great need for close examination of this concept. For as it presently stands, it represents one of the greatest obstacles on the pathway towards spiritual growth and development.
No comments:
Post a Comment