Synthesizing Physics & Metaphysics

It is proposed that we now reduce to oxymorons the terms "meta"physics and "super"natural by openly rehabilitating in modern physics an operational role for natural magic. Mexican Indians have notably associated it—according to reports by anthropologist Castaneda (about 30 years ago as cited previously)--with a surrounding field (or dimension) designated the Nagual: prevailing enigmatically beyond regular surfaces of our earthly enclave as described by classical physics.

This magical Nagual might suggest to scientists some enhanced understanding about the still unaccountable trickery of nature seen in advancing quantum physics; and the more recent "string" theory.

Another conceptual breakthrough might be suggested by tackling Hegel's impervious prose: about how a trans-surface World Spirit—encompassing time, space, energy and maya /matter—winds in and around Itself. This sounds an awful lot like both the Nagual and Northrop's Aesthetic (ethereal) Continuum.

Mythology And Mystery

Buffalo Valley
(Among the highest Ozarks near Boxley, Ark.)

Hegel's Great Spirit also sounds a lot like the God of western theology. I have suggested throughout this website that we westerners get verbally confused trying to prematurely identify this higher Power as constrained by "personal" traits—like us—including arbitrary anger, jealousy, gender and a whimsical eagerness to take sides (rather unjustly) in human competition and conflict.

It now seems rather incredible to me that so many folks still believe blindly such fantastically non-empirical stories based arbitrarily on nothing really more than hearsay—as told by supposed authorities—and their own wishful assumptions. They then claim to receive verbal instructions from this Source which they pass on to others; typically as power shots for attaining control over them.

Note (after New Year): Evidently we Americans especially still suffer from an old con-game that was intensified by Roman attempts to control the masses of a disintegrating empire by adopting Christianity. The people were condemned from birth to hell--by an "original sin" no one really remembered committing--and only the Church could save them. Obedience was demanded with a terrifying edge. Even today fundamentalists are peddling the same grizzly game.

Starting around 30 years ago Joseph Campbell's series of books about mythology (entitled THE MASKS OF GOD) suggested that human preoccupation with such (imaginative) verbalizing actually conceals from intuitive appreciation an obviously higher (if elusive) Source of energetic spirituality. Its earthly manifestations are still empirically apparent though, unfolding from a pervasive rationality. To paraphrase poet John Keats, that is all we really need to know on earth. (For starters anyway.)

Transcending Verbal Definition Of Higher Power

Mount Pleasant Church

Everyday life is now structured by the definition of words imposing distinctions with only dubious difference; for example when folks believe in a "Heavenly Host" but disbelieve in "extraterrestrials." The whole society seems rather schizoid in the wearing of two hats, as it were: one for Sunday church when worshippers pray God (and angels) to intervene in their lives.

The other "hat" is worn during the week for watching TV documentaries about scientists scanning distant planets for signs of "alien" life, and asking whether we are otherwise "alone" in the apparent vastness. The specter is made more bleak by their assumption that extraterrestrial life will be found only as encased in or upon such "space rocks." Some degree of synthesis with theology might expose as silly though the scientific supposition that life must be so encased as some fortuitous fruit of random evolution from "inert matter." Charles Darwin himself reportedly never abandoned religion to this extreme.

Some high (if mysterious) Source is simply obvious. Prematurely verbal efforts to wishfully identify and religiously "relate" to this Source might be wisely suspended nonetheless; at least long enough to improve the human vessel for receipt of rationally spiritual inspiration flowing (empirically) therefrom. Maturing scientists might then inquire more realistically just what kind of derivatively extraterrestrial life is out there—probably from dimensions beyond any encasement in "matter"--and how it may be influencing our own. What are the consequences on earth?

The scientific questions could be asked with a religious reverence enhanced by acknowledging a Great Spirit, without further definition, while exploring earthly manifestations thereof (including proliferation of all non-human life forms). The ultimate mystery could be celebrated as beautiful—awesome—and even deepening as realistic inquiry proceeded.

* * *