The Most Certain of All Principles

I have continued to plow my way through Aristotle's "Metaphysics." I'm all the way to page 48 (haha).

On this page, he makes a point. "Evidently then, it belongs to the philosopher ... to inquire into the principles of syllogism. But he who knows best about each genus must be able to state the most certain principles of his subject, so that he whose subject is existing things qua existing must be able to state the most certain principles of all thing...the most certain principle of all is that regarding which it is impossible to be mistaken; for such a principle must be best known (for all men may be mistaken about things which they do not know) and non-hypothetical....It is, that the same attribute cannot at the same time belong and not belong to the same subject and in the same respect; we must presuppose, to guard against any further dialectical objections, any further qualifications."

So, can the most certain principle be God? If so, then almost all of us are mistaken and do not know. In this sense, religion is an add -on. You know how some web pages want to run an add-on? Religion is an add-on in just this way. I sort of think the ecstasy of enlightenment is an add-on.

The abstract principle of God, without any add-ons, is my interest. And, I can only say that when I quieten my mind, ignoring any stray thoughts, I get as close an experience of the most certain principle as is possible for me. The silence before the ecstasy is the pure experience of God. Holding the silence holds the know of the most certain principle in its purest form. As soon as I try to explain, I'm formulating an add-on.

Selah!

God - Not God

Last night, just before lights out, I finished the book "Jesus" by Deepak Chopra. I was struck by the clever story weaving his own personal belief preferences into his story of Jesus. But, I was again in desolation of Jesus. And a prayer for Jesus went through my mind. Then I was quiet.

What I heard right away in my mind was, "Knowing God doesn't require flashes of bright lights or emotional ecstasy. For the dedicated soul knows quietly inside. This is enough." So, don't discount your spirituality just because you seem not to have had some enlightenment experience. Hang tough with the still small voice and follow its guidance.

This morning, I started Book IV of Aristotle's Metaphysics. I read this, "...we are seeking the first principles and the highest causes, clearly there must be something to which these belong in virtue of its own nature."

Right away, my mind leaped to the "something" as God. Then I was sort of filled with disgust. I thought, "Its such a trap. Everyone wants to know if there is a God." Getting ready to go running, I flipped on NPR. There was a woman Buddhist who had lived in Boulder and known several famous gurus there. I thought then, "Some teachers think they know."

No one knows on this plane; unless they know the silence.

Today, I'm starting lesson 1 from the Course in Miracles workbook: Nothing I see means anything.

Now its off to running on the hills. Then, so exciting, a Canadian is coming to visit me!