Projection of the Mind - Is reality real, or really reality?

This is an article from my blog. I thought it would be interesting to post on ATS. It is easy to believe that we are here with no purpose if you look at this world from a strictly material perspective. If you dig deeper, you see that there is evidence that reality is something much more complicated than appearances would suggest. Is reality real? You decide.
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Metaphysics

I have pondered this intriguing question many times. Even as a child, my mind wandered this field often. If I were to frame this question strictly in a metaphysical sense, my answer would be this: The world is real until I realize the story it tells. For me, the Bible suggests this by referring to man as the image of God and the universe as an image of heaven. The first part of creation was light (both particle and wave), and in John 1, we see that the Word (Christ) created everything. For me, ‘the word’ suggests information and wave. Oddly enough, light also represents a wave as well as knowledge (enlightenment). Light has a duality of both particle and wave. The word image seems to suggest a mystery behind the visible veil of what we actually see. However, from a strictly rational perspective, is there a way to know for sure? I say the real question is this: Is what you place your hope in reality? My answer may surprise you.

Physics

Examining what little we currently know from the field of particle physics, the universe is said to be made up of energy in the form of particle and wave. This same duality exists with light (electromagnetic radiation) and is the basic building block for all life on our planet. But what binds and slows down atoms and particles into the material world of substance we all enjoy each day? That is the 8 billion dollar question it seems. The Large Hadron Collider is busy moving toward the observation of the God Particle (Higgs Boson). If observed, this force and associated particle will suggest streaming data from another dimension. One of the latest postulations in particle physics is called String Theory, which states that all matter is in a mode of vibration. Another extension of String theory is called M-Theory.

The Holographic Universe, Book by Michael Talbot

“Talbot's book The Holographic Universe, which has become his most popular,[3] explores the metaphysical implications that underline quantum mechanics and suggests that the universe is a hologram. After examining the work of physicist David Bohmand neurophysiologist Karl Pribram, both of whom independently arrived at holographic theories or models of the universe, the book argues that a holographic model could possibly explain supersymmetry and also various paranormal and anomalous phenomena and provide a basis for mystical experience. Melodic death metal band Scar Symmetry based its 2008 album Holographic Universe on this book.” WIKIPEDIA

Biology

Without going into a debate about the obvious irreducible complexity of the human body, I will briefly mention the fact that our body is too complex to reduce to accidental evolution. If you are still stuck beating that worn out drum, let me suggest a more plausible explanation. The body is a tiny universe made up of 50 trillion cells, all working their (supposedly) accidental magic so you can think and experience the world. The miracle that is our bio-mechanical suit represents the vehicle that we use to seamlessly view our reality. It is affected by both nature and nurture, and can reprogram itself simply by thought. From my reasoning and rationality gene, this seems like a valuable piece to our puzzle. Consciousness is poorly explained from an evolutionary standpoint when you realize, at this moment, that your ability to read this sentence is greater than the source it comes from. I will explain this last statement later.

You may also consider DNA. Realize that DNA is a programming language of over 3 billions characters. This is enough information to fill 12 encyclopedias. It is locked in a four-bit cipher code that is impenetrable. We can sequence it, but programming will be a future endeavor requiring access to the mind that created it. One tablespoon of DNA represents the code of all human beings combined. One human DNA strand represents three gigs of information.

Natural Science

Nature tells a story. All we know or can learn is a reflection of what we experience through the relationships in nature. As I stated in another post, everything is in uniform relationship to everything else. Is this a reason for reality being an illusion? What would the purpose possibly be for the unimaginable diversity? If you reduce the complexity to its simplest form, you begin to get the point. To help you reduce, let me introduce you to Hermes.
If you look close, you notice that all of nature is the same above and below. You are a universe of trillions of cells. The universe is made up of countless galaxies. The galaxies are made up of countless stars. The cells in your body are like solar systems. Particles are the same reflection. All you can examine is one unique mirror within another.

There is an old Hermetic axiom that says, “As above, so below. As below, so above. As within, so without. As without, so within.” Take a look at the sun and the moon. Both come together by their combined nature to act as the seeds of life on the earth. Take a look at male and female creating offspring. Examine the sperm and the egg. Look at your two eyes coming together to form one vision from light. Notice your two nostrils; your two ears; your two feet and all the other miracles of reality that combine in pairs for one purpose. Can we assume, by comparison, a common design with purpose? How can an unimaginable array of diversity be confined to one design plan? Just because it is amazing does not prove it so—at least not yet.

Augustine, from City of God
"And yet the validity of logical sequences is not a thing devised by men, but is observed and noted by them that they may be able to learn and teach it; for it exists eternally in the reason of things, and has its origin with God. For as the man who narrates the order of events does not himself create that order; and as he who describes the situations of places, or the natures of animals, or roots, or minerals, does not describe arrangements of man; and as he who points out the stars and their movements does not point out anything that he himself or any other man has ordained;—in the same way, he who says, “When the consequent is false, the antecedent must also be false,” says what is most true; but he does not himself make it so, he only points out that it is so."

Hermetic Philosophy and the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus

As you chew on the cud of what was just mentioned, examine this seed of knowledge transmitted from the dawn of civilization. I have added (words) here and there to assist you as you read:

"It (emerald tablet / nature) contains an accurate commentary that can't be doubted. It states: What is the above is from the below and the below is from the above. The work of wonders is from one. And all things sprang from this essence through a single projection. How marvelous is its work! It is the principle part of the world and its custodian. Its father is the sun (sol) and its mother (luna) is the moon. Thus the wind bore it (solar) within it and the earth nourished it. Father of talismans (symbol) and keeper of wonders (science). Perfect in power that reveals the lights (Knowledge - Illumination). It is a fire (cycle) that became our earth. Separate the earth from the fire (evil-refiners fire) and you shall adhere more to that which is subtle (God) than that which is coarse (material), through care and wisdom (knowledge is not enough). It ascends from the earth to the heaven (rising to the source rather than away - like a river). It extracts the lights from the heights and descends to the earth containing the power of the above and the below for it is with the light of the lights. Therefore, the darkness (contrary to illumination) flees from it. The greatest power overcomes everything that is subtle and it penetrates all that is coarse. The formation of the microcosm is in accordance with the formation of the macrocosm. The scholars made this their path (Science). This is why Thrice Hermes was exalted with wisdom. This is his last book that he hid in the catacomb."
According to the ancient Greeks, Thoth (Hermes) was the originator of astronomy, astrology, the science of numbers, mathematics, geometry, land surveying, medicine, botany, theology, civilized government, the alphabet, reading, writing, and oratory. I mention Hermes in relation to this article for a simple reason that will become apparent later. If you think I may be a bit off topic, just hold on to your mouse a few more minutes.

Buddha

According to Buddhism, the world is a mirage. Pre-Christian philosophy such as Hermeticism, Buddhism and Confucianism can be valuable as historical perspectives. But, do they represent any truth? I would argue that they reflect a larger truth that was common knowledge in early antiquity. In an earlier article, I stated that Confucius wanted what was best for the people, Buddha searched for enlightenment and Christ was the enlightenment. Confucius and Buddha were obviously not Christians in 500BC. Nevertheless, these verses from the Dhammapada seem to be clear:

1. Choices

We are what we think.
All that we are arises with our thoughts.
With our thoughts we make the world.

13. The World

Follow the way joyfully
Through this world and on beyond!
For consider the world - A bubble, a mirage.
See the world as it is,
And death shall overlook you.
Come, consider the world,
A painted chariot for kings,
A trap for fools.
But he who sees goes free.
As the moon slips from behind a cloud And shines,
So the master comes out from behind his ignorance And shines.
The world is in darkness.
How few have eyes to see
How few the birds
Who escape the net and fly to heaven!

The Avatar of Hinduism

An Avatar is an incarnation of a being, manifested into a human form. From the oldest religion on the planet, we clearly see a similarity to the first idea of the body being a bio-mechanical suit. But for what? What is the reason? Should we really be looking everywhere for an answer? It is my belief that God does not waste an opportunity to point to His work. I do not believe that anyone is discarded by God simply by geography or people group. His ways are not our ways.

Biblical

As we travel back toward the Bible for answers, I want to draw your attention to the soul. What is the soul? As most religions and new age tradition state, the soul is the connection of the spirit to the flesh. Does this fit with our journey through the hidden reality of the universe? What exactly have we found?

Transmigration (Reincarnation)

Although there is no way to prove this idea, reincarnation has been around since the dawn of man. There is good reason to ask the question as the Bible hints here and there to the mystery. The Hebrew mystics take it for granted. Many early Christians, such as Origen, held a firm belief in transmigration of the soul until Justinian declared it a heresy in 545 AD. How many heretical beliefs turned out to be true? Is this necessarily a poor reflection of Biblical truth? Semantics and interpretation have a way of veiling certain ideas, so I will concede the possibility with no fear of Papal decree.

“If anyone asserts the fabulous preexistence of souls, and shall assert the monstrous restoration which follows from it: let him be anathema. (The Anathemas against Origen), attached to the decrees of the Fifth Ecumenical Council, A.D. 545, in Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, 2d ser., 14: 318).”

Divine Justice

As I come close to the end of the conjecture, I mention divine justice in relation to evil. The reason for this relates to the implications of transmigration. Many people choose atheism because of the presence of Evil in the world. After all, how can a just God allow evil? If you have been in the world before—maybe many times before, in all different situations—then divine justice and evil are proper tools for education. One life seems a bit short, but then again I'm not the judge. Although I cannot prove transmigration as a reality, it definitely is a concept that has stood the test of time.

Seven Hermetic Principles

I told you I had mentioned Hermes for a reason, but I am still not ready to give you the answer. I would first like you to examine the seven principles of hermetic philosophy that are found in the Corpus Hermeticum.

I THE PRINCIPLE OF MENTALISM

According to the Corpus Hermeticum, the universe is a construct within the mind of God. We are part of that mind in relation to the axiom, “As above, so below,” which is the second principle of Correspondence. For Hermes, God was the source of all. Nothing exists outside of God for materials, so a mental projection is the best metaphor we are able to understand. Our consciousness is an autonomous image of this projection possessing free will.

II THE PRINCIPLE OF CORRESPONDENCE

As above, so below. As below, so above.

III THE PRINCIPLE OF VIBRATION

According to Hermes, all you know is in a state of vibration and movement. Do you remember when I mentioned string theory before? Hermes said it all along. As long as we are mentioning vibration, do you realize that in the time you have read this article, you have traveled thousands of miles in space? The Earth is moving; the sun is moving; the galaxy is moving, and all of it floating in Dark Matter and Dark Energy that cannot be observed, making up a full 90% of what “Science” claims to understand. Like two people playing ping-pong on a train, you move in relative motion to the world around you. I say two people playing because two is an accurate metaphor for the duality of mind and body that makes the one 'you'.

IV THE PRINCIPLE OF POLARITY

"Everything is Dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites; like and unlike are the same; opposites are identical in nature, but different in degree; extremes meet; all truths are but half-truths; all paradoxes may be reconciled." All opposites are only a degree of the same, like temperature is to degrees on the thermometer. This explains the paradoxical nature of truth. Yours may be higher than mine, but neither as high as God's ultimate understanding. Contradiction in the Bible can be explained within this understanding. Differences in religion can be seen as differing degrees of the same.

V THE PRINCIPLE OF RHYTHM

"Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides; all things rise and fall; the pendulum-swing manifests in everything; the measure of the swing to the right is the measure of the swing to the left; rhythm compensates."

VI THE PRINCIPLE OF CAUSE AND EFFECT

"Every Cause has its Effect; every Effect has its Cause; everything happens according to Law; Chance is but a name for Law not recognized; there are many planes of causation, but nothing escapes the Law."

VII THE PRINCIPLE OF GENDER

"Gender is in everything; everything has its Masculine and Feminine Principles; Gender manifests on all planes."

Virtual Reality

What about our own creations? Sims is a popular game where virtual people exist in a computer reality of energy, created by the words of ones and zeros, projected, by light, to a monitor for the creator of the reality to enjoy. Imitation is said to be the ultimate form of flattery. Maybe God enjoys my feeble attempt at explaining His infinitely complex virtual world from a chair, looking into my second virtual world (computer screen), and remotely transmitting this muse to other like-minded individuals. What do these experiences reveal to us? The answer to it all is education and growth; autonomy and loving-kindness to all. The ability to create without actually doing harm. Learning the hard way, but only in your mind. This is conjecture I suppose. But then again, God seems to reveal Himself in a mystery for us to unravel.

Only one Truth Stands

So far, we have examined the evidence form the Bible, science, Hermes, Buddha, Hinduism and further considered divine justice and the unknowable mysteries of the wheel of life. Can we trust any of these sources?

It is my opinion that we can trust only the biblical source as our guide in life. It has always been my opinion that truth can be found in any perspective you look as long as the Bible is our foundation for truth. The main tool of any adversary is wrapping truth in counterfeit form. For more on my thoughts on this topic, consult some of my earlier posts.

Conclusion

Finally! We get to the point. Is reality real, or is it just real to us? Here is how I see it:

...But before I get there, one more Hermetic thought. Nothing can rise above its source. Unlike a river that can only flow away from its source, we can rise toward our source, but not above. Are you more complex than the earth; the sun; the moon? Yes. What does that tell you about your source? What does that tell you about pride (rising higher in your mind than God)? What does that tell you about humility? Altruism?

And the point of it all in metaphor:

Correctly understanding ancient truth is the key to decoding the operating system of the universe. These laws of the programmer represent the roots from which the rest of the tree of life springs forth to bear fruit. Two become one and then repeat. This blueprint of the universe is then carried forward to connect consciousness, by an unobservable process, to the material design of the reality we currently sense. The spirit, which represents our true essence, is connected by the soul (like a modem) to the sensory vehicle. Like the Avatar, the spirit seamlessly controls our bodies. Reality is found in the Holy Spirit of the biblical God. The material world is merely energy formed into a story to teach faith, hope and love. When this reality fades away, only the love you find will remain. The vain philosophies of men we be left behind. When you finally wake up to true reality for the last time, what will the story of your life (lives) tell?

I hope my conjecture has helped you realize that hope can only come from faith in the love that God shows us through the biblical message of scripture. It is my prayer that all of humanity wakes from the illusion of the material world and empty philosophies of men. Until then, stay hermetically sealed from the world and believe in Christ. The rest will take care of itself.

Am I correct in my muse? You be the judge. However, show compassion if you comment! Consider what the Bible tells us in Hebrew about the illusion of the material world:

HEBREWS 11:1-3

1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

The word hope to me indicates that it is not good enough. Hope says it will be better in the future. Hope misses this eternal now, for hope wants.
To be or not to be? This is the question. Are you or are you not? Try not to be and you will know.
God is the source of all things. That means he is the source of you also. Nothing is separate from god. Only the belief that you could be separate is veiling the world of things.
Wanting is a symptom of not knowing you are everything already.
Wanting and hoping and praying is thinking you are incomplete. This feeling of incompleteness comes from a feeling of separation. This comes from the belief that there is other, other anything, other people, other places, other times. Check it out it is not true. All there is, is this. This eternal now and guess what? You are always present. This is the wholly union. This is all there is.
You are/this is. We don't know what that is exactly. Experience?
Surfing the event.

Nothing can move apart from something else that is fixed. Corporeal can only arise from what is incorporeal. The Corporeal world is changing and becoming. The incorporeal has arrived and never left at the same time. Reality is what cannot change. Illusion is the mirror image of the reality. A mirror can only see itself in reflection. The reflection is not the reality, only an image of it. LINK

Originally posted by Itisnowagain
The word hope to me indicates that it is not good enough. Hope says it will be better in the future. Hope misses this eternal now, for hope wants.
To be or not to be? This is the question. Are you or are you not? Try not to be and you will know.
God is the source of all things. That means he is the source of you also. Nothing is separate from god. Only the belief that you could be separate is veiling the world of things.
Wanting is a symptom of not knowing you are everything already.
Wanting and hoping and praying is thinking you are incomplete. This feeling of incompleteness comes from a feeling of separation. This comes from the belief that there is other, other anything, other people, other places, other times. Check it out it is not true. All there is, is this. This eternal now and guess what? You are always present. This is the wholly union. This is all there is.
You are/this is. We don't know what that is exactly. Experience?
Surfing the event.

edit on 16-4-2011 by Itisnowagain because: (no reason given)

reply to post by SuperiorEd


It is nothing more than a mirage, a rainbow or a firework display. It is not a puzzle that needs solving, it comes complete and fully formed. It is here right now. Everything is provided and everything is being done. It is nothing more that a piece of art work for your viewing pleasure.

reply to post by SuperiorEd


The reflection is what appears to be happening, it is what you are seeing. What you are seeing is you and only you. All there is is what is seen. It may appear as odor, color etc, but inclusively it could be called sensation. These sensations plus conditioned mind come together and build a story, a fabrication and it is seen as real. But none of the fabrications are ever real. Only what is seen now without words, conscious contact is real.

The mirage I agree with. I would disagree that it is nothing more than... It is something much more than.... It is a story that God relates to us for our education into his kingdom of truth. Instead of telling us the story, he allows us to live within the story and experience it fully.

Confucius says, "I hear I forget. I see, I remember. I do and I understand"

God composes the symphony from beginning to end. We are the performers, able to produce our unique performance of the score that God provides. Like musicians, we can play out of tune at times, rush and play two loudly or softly. We can even choose disbelief, arrogantly refusing to play. The only way to achieve purpose, however, is to follow the notes God provides to our perspectives, with our own unique musicianship. LINK

“Everyone has his own specific vocation or mission in life to carry out; a concrete assignment which demands fulfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced, nor can his life be repeated. Thus, everyone’s task is as unique as his specific opportunity to implement it.” Victor Frankl

Originally posted by Itisnowagain
reply to post by SuperiorEd

 

It is nothing more than a mirage, a rainbow or a firework display. It is not a puzzle that needs solving, it comes complete and fully formed. It is here right now. Everything is provided and everything is being done. It is nothing more that a piece of art work for your viewing pleasure.

Do you see the ocean? No, you see the surface and waves. Do you see light? No, you see the surface it reveals and the waves in a narrow spectrum. To know what is in the ocean, you must look below the waves into the depths. This is where the true reality is found.

Hebrews 11:3

3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Originally posted by Itisnowagain
reply to post by SuperiorEd

 

The reflection is what appears to be happening, it is what you are seeing. What you are seeing is you and only you. All there is is what is seen. It may appear as odor, color etc, but inclusively it could be called sensation. These sensations plus conditioned mind come together and build a story, a fabrication and it is seen as real. But none of the fabrications are ever real. Only what is seen now without words, conscious contact is real.

reply to post by SuperiorEd


If god composes the symphony from beginning to end, i don't understand why you think you that there is any control for the individual. We are one ocean waving. Each wave thinks it has ultimate control over it's actions until it doesn't. When it stops assuming it has power and control it then sinks into the ocean and rests in peace.
The wave has to die to be resurrected, to know the true ocean.
We are not in control of anything. Thinking we are is what causes all the suffering.
Sit with god and watch the show.

I agree with you totally. We are the witness, not the judge. God is the Judge and Christ is our advocate. The accuser is the shadow that follows the object that the light reflects on. Your accuser is the shadow you create with your actions. Actions will always have reactions by law. Duplicity is believing that you can run from the law. This is equivalent to avoidance of punishment (perceived punishment). Likewise, duplicity also reveals itself when an individual seeks reward. Seeking good is its own reward, so again, it's the law of returns. We reap what we sow. In the end, our only act of free will is to believe in God or not believe. Trust or not trust. Act apart from pride (duplicity) or act for our own selfishness. Either way, God's law is the result of the actions taken. We have only one part to play in the performance.

We are affected by three things in life. Choice, chance and the actions of others. Chance is not probability, it is the providence of God acting in our lives through His immutable laws.

Originally posted by Itisnowagain
reply to post by SuperiorEd

 

If god composes the symphony from beginning to end, i don't understand why you think you that there is any control for the individual. We are one ocean waving. Each wave thinks it has ultimate control over it's actions until it doesn't. When it stops assuming it has power and control it then sinks into the ocean and rests in peace.
The wave has to die to be resurrected, to know the true ocean.
We are not in control of anything. Thinking we are is what causes all the suffering.
Sit with god and watch the show.

reply to post by SuperiorEd


We are the witness, this is all. The accuser is the ego, the false self, not real unless it is believed to be real.
The accuser is the shadow that follows the subject (subject= being all there is) that the light reflects on. The light is only present in this eternal now which is you. The accuser is the shadow that says it could be any different than this.
This is how it is! God made it.

reply to post by SuperiorEd

Each moment is fresh and new and in every moment you are fresh and new.
God is not punishment and reward.
It is not a puzzle, thinking it so makes it us feel lost.
How does this moment feel?
Feel life.
You are the way. The path is you.
I am the way. I am the path.

You are not shining light on yourself. That belief would be an artifact of duplicity.

Originally posted by Itisnowagain
reply to post by SuperiorEd

 

We are the witness, this is all. The accuser is the ego, the false self, not real unless it is believed to be real.
The accuser is the shadow that follows the subject (subject= being all there is) that the light reflects on. The light is only present in this eternal now which is you. The accuser is the shadow that says it could be any different than this.
This is how it is! God made it.

reply to post by SuperiorEd


Nothing but a dream, a mirage, a firework display, seen by no one.
Just this.

Again, God shines the light. I am nothing but the reflection, with NOUS on loan from God. Would the cell in my body look up and say, "I am Him" and be accurate? No more than I can look at the cell and say it is me. We are we and the path is God along His way.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

God said, "Let there be light." Christ is the word (Wave) in John 1 (LOGOS). Light and wave are the duality of light, both particle and wave. The wave carries the form. The light reflects the way produced by the wave. You are not either of these, only the reflection of the source. The gift is the vision you are granted as the witness and what you do with that gift reflects your image back to God.

RUMI

"The many things of this world are a trial
appointed by God, for they hide the single reality.
There is a saying that the saint is one, humankind
is a hundred, meaning the saint’s whole attention
remains upon the one truth, while people are scattered over a hundred appearances. But which
hundred? Which fifty? Which sixty? Lost in this
world of mirrored reflections, they are a faceless
people without hands and feet, without mind and
Soul, quivering like a magic talisman, like quicksilver or mercury. They do not know who they
are. Call them sixty or a hundred or a thousand,
and the saint is one, but is not this view a trial
itself? For the truth is that the hundreds are nothing, while the saint is a thousand, and a hundred
thousand, and thousands of thousands."

Originally posted by Itisnowagain
reply to post by SuperiorEd

 

Each moment is fresh and new and in every moment you are fresh and new.
God is not punishment and reward.
It is not a puzzle, thinking it so makes it us feel lost.
How does this moment feel?
Feel life.
You are the way. The path is you.
I am the way. I am the path.

Any words that cuold be said about this eternal now will never be able to reproduce this. Words and explanations have no feeling ability, conscious contact is what you are, what this is.
The word christ means consciousness. As in Buddha consciousness.
God is found through consciousness.

reply to post by SuperiorEd


This is one of the greatest posts ever! Star and flag!

reply to post by SuperiorEd


"The many things of this world are a trial
appointed by God, for they hide the single reality.
There is a saying that the saint is one, humankind
is a hundred, meaning the saint’s whole attention
remains upon the one truth, while people are scattered over a hundred appearances. But which
hundred? Which fifty? Which sixty? Lost in this
world of mirrored reflections, they are a faceless
people without hands and feet, without mind and
Soul, quivering like a magic talisman, like quicksilver or mercury. They do not know who they
are. Call them sixty or a hundred or a thousand,
and the saint is one, but is not this view a trial
itself? For the truth is that the hundreds are nothing, while the saint is a thousand, and a hundred
thousand, and thousands of thousands."

This says there is only 'one' controlling the many faces and many things.
Things appear as many appearances.
"For the truth is that the hundreds are nothing, while the saint is a thousand, and a hundred
thousand, and thousands of thousands."
This says that we are nothing, nothing meaning we also have no personal/individual volition. The saint is the one and only controller and there is only one saint.

Originally posted by Itisnowagain
Any words that cuold be said about this eternal now will never be able to reproduce this. Words and explanations have no feeling ability, conscious contact is what you are, what this is.
The word christ means consciousness. As in Buddha consciousness.
God is found through consciousness.

Yes. I agree with you. It is consciousness in reflection. We are made in God's image. This is why the Bible does not speak directly. It speaks in symbol, parable, allegory and metaphor. This is the only way our mind can reflect His light back. The image cannot be made perfect. If God made the image in perfection, then it would be a perfect picture of Him. God is one, not two. This requires the image to be less than Him, but with the ability to display back to Him in a uniquely accurate way. Our actions matter. If we produce the image back to God by our own selfish desires, we have distorted God's image. Entropy works its way away from order. Consciousness works its way back to order. We can never achieve a perfect image back, only move one direction or another. Entropy moves to death, conscious can work back toward the source, against the flow. This is the point.

reply to post by SuperiorEd


We are gods image made, we are the projecter of god and what we see is a reflection (image of god). The trinity could be seen as god, the projector and the image. The image that is seen is god. God is sometimes referred to a Self. All that is seen is Self. God is perfect in his imperfections. When you look in the mirror you say that you see yourself but if you had to describe what you see it would be very difficult. Everything that you see is a reflection of Self.

The real reality, as it were, if it could be seen with our eyes, is basically a combination of geometric lines and shapes, the most basic of which being the circle, and a folded over circle, or figure-eight pattern. That is the most basic level, depending upon your mind, you can see this "framework" in many different ways, so, there is a real reality, however, much of what we see is really coloured by our minds and our imaginations.