I Knew That Was Going To Happen!

The following is from Sean Carroll's (theoretical physicist at California Institute of Technology) new book "The Big Picture." (Dutton-Penguin Random House 2016)

"There is a bit of a mismatch between Laplace's (Pierre-Simon Marquis de Laplace) notion of determinism and what most people think of when they hear the 'the future is determined.' The latter phrase conjures up images of destiny or fate--the idea that what will eventually happen has 'already been decided,' with the implication that it's been decided by someone, or something."

"The physical notion of determinism is different from destiny or fate in a subtle but crucial way: because Laplace's Demon doesn't actually exist, the future may be determined by the present, but literally nobody knows what it will be. When we think of destiny, we think of something like the Three Fates of Greek mythology or the Weird Sisters of Shakespeare's Macbeth, wizened oracles who will use riddles to indicate our future path, from which we will try to escape from and fail. The real universe is nothing like that. It's more like an annoying child who likes to approach people and say, 'I know what's going to happen next!' Then, when you ask what will happen, the child says, 'I can't tell you.' And after it happens, they say, 'See? I knew that was going to happen!' That's the universe for you."

I can't begin to tell you how amused I was by this example. And it was difficult not to add my own emphasis or italics. (the paragraphs appear exactly as they do in the book, with the exception of giving you Laplace's full name) Here is a theoretical physicist saying determinism is like a bratty, know-it-all kid, messing with your mind. Which reminds me exactly of how I come across! The whole process of G-G-G is determined. If you follow the formula, the outcome is assured. If you don't follow the formula, the outcome is assured. ('I know what's going to happen next!') The choice people make is obvious--easily detectable in body language, facial expression, and what is at the core of their conversation(s).

So why do people make the choices they make? Here is the beginning of the answer: "The most serious lying is when we know perfectly well that we do not and cannot know the truth about things and never act accordingly. We always think and act as though we do know the truth. This is lying. For instance, we know nothing about ourselves, and we really know we know nothing, yet we never recognize or admit the fact; we never confess it even to ourselves, we think and act and speak as though we knew who we are. (emphasis mine) This is the origin, the beginning of lying." ~Ouspensky The Fourth Way

What Next?

Regarding your spirituality, nothing. Visiting this site indicates you have probably done more than enough. Enough reading, workshops, meditations, prayers. I advise you to simply stop. Stop trying to be, and just be. So how does one get out of one's own way?

Obviously my answer is G-G-G. In another post I called it a "hack". (as in altering the software of your neural network--which has a propensity towards negative interpretations. See 'Source of Gratitude' 11-15-15, as one example) However, if I were to be more precise, G-G-G is a spiritual algorithm. A set of instructions that allows you to solve a problem. The problem? You tell me. I am reduced to painting with as broad a brush as possible, given I write to an unspecified, general audience.

To allow for an overview, though, I have taken on the most obvious issue's that beset people, (not being good enough, unworthy of love, inability to forgive oneselve, general self-loathing, ongoing self-sabotage, etc. etc. etc!) and have addressed them throughout the blog. My contention is to view what you are going through (whatever it might be) as a gift. That the answer you need, are looking for, is what life is bringing you. God (the Presence, Ultimate Reality, Infinite Intelligence--whatever you are comfortable calling It) is knock, knock, knocking on your door saying, 'this is Me. Let Me in.' And when it is something we think is nice, beneficial, or beautiful, we swing the door wide open. Yes! God loves me! When the opposite occurs, however, we expend tremendous amounts of energy slamming the door shut and pushing our weight up against it to bar entry. 'No, no, no! I can't handle the loss, I don't want the pain, I've had enough humiliation. Please, go away!'

So the experience is denied. It becomes what you run from, suppress. It terrorizes you. If, at some point, it bubbles up from the subconscious, you ruthlessly repress it. And so an aspect of God is rejected. "But Pat," comes the angry retort, "God isn't _____!" (fill in the blank) Really? How would you know? What is below the pain, loss, grief, or rejection? What is it that's actually there beyond the emotion of the experience?

That's what's next...

SOS

Send Out Saviors

That is the word on the street and the proclamation from heaven. You are needed--now!

Qualifications: A willing heart and recognition of who you actually are.

All else will become apparent.

You're Up

Yep, your names been called. Front and center. Let's go. Move it!

That is what yesterday's post was all about. If you continue to wait for God to fix you, or the world, pick out a casket. You will die with all the unfulfilled longings that make up your daily existence. If, however, you want to change the world, then change yourself. Take on the mantle of savior, saint, guru, teacher--or, if need be, (and you are truly enlightened) the title of worthless avatar, lazy monk, or prickly priest. Quit letting the idea of you becoming perfect before committing stop you in your tracks. You are never going to be perfect! (sorry to break that bit of news to you)

Instead, perhaps, you can share your life story without all the guile, blame, and self-deception you usually employ. Forgo the masking of your insecurities and self-loathing, everyone does that. Teach them something they rarely (if ever) see. Authenticity. Here I am in all my majestic worthlessness! Yes, I am fallible. No, I don't have all the answers. And guess what? That's my teaching!

Something rare is invariably considered precious, valuable. So it is with an individual who can reveal themselves as they are--stripped of all artifice. And this you can begin teaching today. Do so.

No Longer Christian, But Christ

Understanding the title of this post is a literal suggestion, feel free to teach G-G-G. If you genuinely can't get to the point of it being a literal reality (you being the anointed one) then consider going back to 2012 and begin at the beginning; Aurora.

(If you need to ask does 'no longer Jewish, but Jehovah,' or 'no longer Muslim, but Mohammad,' apply--of course it does! It's back to Aurora for you as well.)

What Time Is It

I have suggested in other posts that God isn't something because He is everything. I know this is difficult. It sounds weird. "Pat," I can hear you saying, "He would have to be something if He were everything." Perhaps. But the following excerpt from the book, "God (A Guide for the Perplexed)" by Keith Ward, may aid us in the paradox; albeit with his discourse on time. (page 134)

"Time, despite Aristotle, did have a beginning (most modern physicists would agree with this). You can always ask, 'What existed before the first moment of time?'--but the question does not really make sense. It is like asking, 'What positive integer exists before the number 1?' The answer is that it is the first positive integer. So, if time is a relation between events, and there is an event that is not preceded by any other event, that is the beginning of time. No problem."

"God, however, is the creator of time. So God does not exist before it. God must exist completely outside and beyond it, not in a temporal way at all. God is absolutely timeless. In God there is no before and after, and God does not exist at any time. It follows that God does not now exist."

"The point is that God does exist. But there is no time at which God exists. The whole of time, from beginning to end, is created by God. Because of that, it is just as true to say that God creates at the end of time as it is to say that God creates at the beginning. If we imagine the whole of time as a line from A to Z, then the whole line is made by God in one and the same act."    (all emphasis mine)

I think this argument is easier because we can picture a distinction between God and time. The position that there is 'no time at which God exists,' is an understandable concept (time being a byproduct of God's creation). It may be more difficult to embrace the idea of God not being something. It is the limitations of something, the inherent specificity of the word, which makes it inapplicable. Just as God is nothing (no thing) neither is He something (some thing). He is everything. (every thing)

Of course there may be those who claim this is all a matter of semantics. They would not be wrong. When it comes to God we can't be sure...even if we insist we have had a divine revelation. Many have had revelations (Abraham--Moses--Jesus--Mohammad--Joseph Smith, etc). Are we to believe that God has altered His message? Revised it? Updated it? Or can we allow for personal visions that are consistent with a universal longing for that inexplicable something that is everything we ever dreamed of? Time will tell.

Where Credit Is Due

On January 12, 2013, I wrote the post, Let Us Pray. I feel it appropriate to give you an update.

The person referenced relocated to northern California 16 months ago for a job opportunity. He was (more or less) forced to move into his youngest son's apartment for financial reasons (not all that easy when you are 61 years of age). Two weeks ago he got a raise which enabled him to get his own place. Every step along the way he has confronted his fears, doubts, and insecurities; and lived to tell about it. All the stress inherent relocating, starting a new job, sharing his son's living space--as well as the collateral damage of a failed relationship due to drug use--have been overcome. He is a success story and needs to be celebrated. I would yell, "rah," if it wasn't such a dead giveaway. (private joke) So, I will leave it at, "thank you." And if any of you happened to lift your voice in prayer with me for him, thank you as well.

(Note of Interest: The July 30th, 2015, post Master Meister is about the son in question.)

Update: 2-28-16  You know, I'm not entirely happy with the response to this post. It makes me feel as though further disclosure is required, so let me add this: the raise the person of the post got was $30,000.00 a year. Yeah, that's right, THIRTY THOUSAND. A year. Think about it.