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On The Super Conscious:
By William E. Steinman:
July 10, 2006:

I have touched briefly on this in other writing. Now, I think it is time to discuss the nature of the super-conscious as I understand it. In a way, this is simply my view of a deep mystery. It is an understatement to say my understanding is incomplete. Through a dense fog would be an appropriate metaphor.

That does not embarrass me, since I believe a complete view is impossible for any ordinary mortal. The best we mortals can have is some kind of theory about an unknown and, probably, unknowable mystery. To be sure, that sounds metaphysical as all get out. I don't like it, but that is the current reality. In some future time, assuming I continue my upward trend on the continuum of consciousness, my view may become clearer.

There seems to be a direct relationship between the view we have and the methods we use for interacting with the super-conscious. Most Westerners tend to see it as an active, intrusive God. He notices and takes part in our comings and goings. Thus, our methods of communication usually consist of prayer, petition, and often downright groveling.

Easterners tend to see a system set in motion by some supernatural power. Their spiritual universe has consistent rules of flow and procedure. Therefore, the Easterner's methods consists of various techniques for getting synchronized with the flow of the system. These are ways of seeking harmony. There are meditations, chants, and other activities which bore us to tears and then beyond. It's that beyond where the communion takes place.

A Westerner may be concerned about violating one of the commandments and invoking the wrath of God. An Easterner may be concerned about disrupting the natural flow of the universe. This disruption will eventually return to him as a life problem. Thus, in the West, we are punished for our sins. In the East, we are punished by our sins. Of course, this is a very simplified look at the very rich traditions and practices of some of the worlds religions. It is not intended to be comprehensive. Just so, no insult is intended to anyone.

I am not sure we mortals will ever understand the super conscious. We don't even understand electricity for goodness sake, though we use it every day. We have a theory of electricity which allows us to pretend we understand it when we use it. No one has ever put a saddle on an electron and ridden it through a wire. Just so, no one has ever put a saddle on a cultural view of their divinity and ridden it through the universe.

Just as we have a theory of electricity then, we can also have a theory of the super-conscious. That is what I see a cultural view to be. It's an incomplete theoretical view of a profound mystery. Like any theory, or view, a cultural view of God or the super-conscious is valid and invalid. It is valid in that it allows a form of communication and communion. It is invalid in that it discredits and discounts other views.

To be valid, a theory should be able to account for all of the known information. It can't be cheap and dishonest and throw out know information to accommodate the theory. There are too many scientists who throw out information because it can't be repeated. They will argue that it can't be proved or it can't be this or that. If a view of the divinity or the super-conscious cannot enclose all of the information, it is not a valid view. The theory must account for all known manifestations of the phenomena.

There is no justification for throwing out information. Of course, this means I have to account for demons, ghosts, and black magic. This may only mean there are parts of the super-conscious which are ugly from my perspective. I believe that is the case. We create a window out of our own experience and understanding. The view through that window becomes our view of the universe. From some perspectives it could well be an ugly view. A view through a dirty window if you would.

While it's not necessary to understand the super-conscious, it's kind of nice to have a view which is consistent. We want our practices to be effective when we use them. That's all. The beauty of a sound theory is that it helps to take the mysticism out and gives us a degree of consistency. On that consistency we can build knowledge. The more complete our understanding of the mystery is, the more meaningful we can make our consciousness raising practices.

Based on my own, very personal, experience I have come to a few conclusions. It is not much, but it has the advantage that nothing I know about is excluded. This is my theory of the super-conscious which, of course, embodies my philosophy of life.
Here Is my understanding in a set of statements.

1 There is an entity or conscious thing which exists outside of my immediate temporal perception.
2 This entity is the source of peace, wisdom, energy, power, love, and joy.
3 It is also the vessel of all knowledge.
4 All beings are connected to this totality and can, with practice, access and use any or all of its attributes.
5 It functions in a space time continuum, but is not constrained by it.
6 So far as we can discern, it is infinite and has no constraints.
7 It can manifest as a temporal entity, but normally does not.
8 When it does manifest it seems to be because one of us required, desired, or requested it to manifest through some sort of ritual, like prayer or meditation.
9 An infinite set of views of this entity are possible. All are incomplete.
10 It is possible, through practice, to move closer to this entity, such that my awareness and consciousness increase.
11 With increase consciousness, I begin to acquire the attributes of this super-conscious.
12 At some point in practice, I will become perfectly identified with it and my understanding will be complete.

Take it or leave it, this is my current understanding and belief. As I said before, it can change as my consciousness increases. For now, I believe it, but I refuse to be bound by it. One thing to notice with this theory is the possibility of a mortal becoming God. I believe that too.
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