How Things Work: A Brief History of Reality
BOOK II: The Power of Three (Science & Religion) – Consideration #76. "The Story of God: Understanding the Spiritual Paradigm" (Part 2)
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
“In faith, there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don’t.”
– Blaise Pascal
PREFACE
Welcome Everybody!
Last week we considered an audio illusion in which people were played a recording of the word “Laurel” and many people heard the world “Yanny,” and a visual illusion in which people were shown the same photograph of a dress and some saw a blue dress with black trim while others saw a white dress with gold trim. I then introduced a pop-phenomenon from the 1970’s called a 3D Stereogram which appears as a random abstract image, but also has a “hidden image” that can be perceived by most people, but not by everyone. All of this prepares us for what I believe to be the best non-biblical spiritual metaphor, or analogy, that I, or anyone else, has developed so far.
“You cannot point to something ‘objective’ as the Spiritual Paradigm…”
The challenge of the Spiritual Paradigm is that it is not empirical. You cannot point to something “objective” as the Spiritual Paradigm; it is a part of the “rational mind.” In this analogy, God, or faith, is like the “hidden image” of a 3D Dinosaur in a two dimensional Stereogram. Some people naturally, almost instinctively, perceive the hidden image of the 3D Dinosaur right away. Most can eventually perceive the dinosaur with the help and input from those who naturally see it. However, some people never perceive the dinosaur, despite multiple sincere attempts.
If you tried to perceive the “hidden image” in the Stereogram from last week’s newsletter you are in one of these three scenarios now!
CONSIDERATION #76 – “The Story of God: Understanding the Spiritual Paradigm" (Part 2)
We start with something like a small poster that everybody agrees is made up of “random graphic patterns” with no other discernible unique pattern or image apparent. Everybody sees this and agrees on this. However, some people who look at the random patterns almost immediately perceive a new, separate, 3D image that somehow “appears” within the 2D graphic patterns. For example, a 3D image of a Tyrannosaurus Rex might magically appear as a complete separate entity within the 2D graphic image.
While most people don’t immediately “see” the dinosaur, once those who do explain to them how to readjust their focus, they too, can then see the dinosaur. However, some people take a very long time, becoming extremely frustrated, before finally seeing the dinosaur. And some people never see the dinosaur.
“…perhaps it’s all just a hoax!”
After a while, many of the people who never see the dinosaur begin to question the veracity of those who claim they do; perhaps it’s all just a hoax! After all, there is certainly nothing wrong with them! Therefore, there must be something going on with those who claim to see something that really isn't there.
Now, the chasm between those who can, and those who can’t, see this alternate image has vastly increased; because it's now a matter of principle over perception. While arguing about seeing a dinosaur in a stereogram is no big deal, what if this happened regarding something much deeper, personal, and emotional? Let’s consider this scenario in the light of faith.
“…some people see other patterns which create alternative realities of possibility.”
Imagine that the original graphic poster is the world. Everyone agrees on certain physical aspects of what it is and how it appears. However, some people see other patterns which create alternative realities of possibility. Some recognize this possibility as faith, seeing it as a natural extension in the pattern of the world. Surprised that others don’t immediately recognize the same pattern of faith that they do, they often want to share “how” to see it with others; increasing their ability to share the excitement of perceiving the alternate experience, or perspective.
“…people who never see the pattern of faith eventually stop believing that it really exists.”
Some people struggle with re-focusing their attention on the world and fail to clearly perceive the new reality that others claim to experience; often leading to aggravation and discontent. The people who never see the pattern of faith eventually stop believing that it really exists. They now firmly believe there is no alternative experience to perceive. It is not real. Now, if we crank up everybody’s connection to their own personal “truth” regarding faith, or religion, we begin to clearly see the problem.
Those who actually do experience the alternate reality cannot deny their experience. To suggest that they did not experience it would be untrue. The more other people who can’t see it suspect those who claim they can of lying, the more those who can want to prove that they are not lying and that it is “true.” People who don’t see the alternate reality dedicate a considerable amount of time and energy trying to prove that those who claim they do are crazy, or lying, as way of tricking you into something, perhaps a religious cult.
“It is usually about this time when emotion overpowers reason…”
Those who “can see” become the high priests of 3D stereograms, and those who “can’t see” become the heretics who deny the very existence of the Great 3D Dinosaur. Both sides now seeking to expose the falseness and exploitation of the other. One points to the image shouting, “The dinosaur is right there in front of you, how can you not see it? Just look differently!” As the other staring hopelessly at the image retorts, “There’s absolutely nothing there you superstitious fool! What’s the matter with you!!” It is usually about this time when emotion overpowers reason and “argument” devolves into “action” and violence takes place!!!
In between are a lot of people confused about the truth, who are trying to figure out what to do and who to believe. Sometimes they think they see “something,” but they’re not certain. Sometimes they can see some dimensionality in some images, but not others. They are seeking the truth, but trust neither side to provide it. Because the people supporting these two opposite perceptions now feel a moral obligation to expose and prove the other side as liars, these bewildered people looking for the truth find themselves trying to figure out and decide who is lying to them.
“…once it is decided that only one side can be correct… terribly violent things can happen.”
However, the problem is, there really are no liars. Everyone in this process is sincerely expressing the truth as they “perceive” it to be, and their perception is “true” from their perspective of “reality.” The people claiming to “see the dinosaur image of faith” really do see it. Those who claim they don’t see anything at all really don’t; no matter how hard they try.
If we could just accept this, there would be no problem. However, once it is decided that only one side can be correct, making the other side inherently completely wrong, terribly violent things can happen. This has been the challenge of faith and religion in the world.
“…the 3D Dinosaur is an abstraction of the mind; it is perceivable only if you can shift your focus away from the ‘objective’ physical world.”
So, what is the answer to the question regarding whether there is a “real” 3D Dinosaur in the abstract image? For those who “see” the dinosaur it is real, and for those who “do not” see the dinosaur it is not real. The reality of the dinosaur ultimately depends on if you can perceive it or not! Inherently, the 3D Dinosaur is an abstraction of the mind; it is perceivable only if you can shift your focus away from the “objective” physical world. You must learn how to look past, or through, the physical object, such as the world, or the “real 2D graphic image,” for the “hidden 3D image” to appear or become perceptible.
Interestingly, once you do see the dinosaur, it becomes easier to see images in other stereograms; you have learned the “knack” of how to perceive these “rational” images. Eventually recognizing “both” images as “real” and transitioning from the “objective” 2D image to the “rational” 3D image and back with little effort.
POSTSCRIPT
With this in mind, consider exploring these chapters related to the religious experience as a chance to refocus your perception of the world. Not so much because you might perceive the same experience as others, but instead, because you might perceive their experience in a new way, providing a greater respect and understanding of their perspective. Even if you cannot see it, or perceive it, the same way they do.
“It is a different way of knowing and appreciating Reality.”
The religious experience completely alters the way you see the patterns of the world; offering a Peace that passes all understanding. It is a different way of knowing and appreciating Reality. You may never see the dinosaur; however, you can perhaps begin to understand and respect that others do. And those who do, have had a major impact on the reality of Western civilization.
Next week we will consider the difficulty and challenges of expressing and communicating “traditional” religious and spiritual concepts in today’s modern world.
Expand the Conversation by Upgrading to “Reality by a Thread!”
Excerpt from Tomorrow’s Untangling the Knots of Reality – Podcast #41: "Untangling Hobbes and the Leviathan - Part 2"
This Week on “The Thread”…
•Untangling the Knots of Reality Podcast: #41 "Untangling Hobbes and the Leviathan" (“For Hobbes, it was critical for a powerful authority, a Leviathan, to limit the desire and control of the individual as a way of maintaining a safe, stable, and productive society. Essentially, Hobbes argues that the first, and most important aspect of government, is stability and security. Everything else, including individual autonomy, is a lesser consideration. The ultimate happiness of the individual resides in the success of the overall society. There is no freedom without security.…” )
•Reality by a Thread Discussion Thread: Previewing Book V: “Level Three & Four Conscious Awareness” (“However, there is a difference between the questioning involved in level three and four thinking as compared to “elementary” questioning. “Inquiry” at this level of conscious awareness involves “reason.” There is a “self-motivated” reason for the questions as opposed to a “social driven” expectation. Einstein, wanted to understand “how” gravity worked, because he was not satisfied with the current “unexplained” theory; even though it appeared to work quite satisfactory for the “scientific needs” of the time. However, to move forward, Einstein was “motivated” to question a theory with no “real” explanation. Even though it worked for the current scientific paradigm...”)
•FREE PDF Download of Book IV: “The Cosmic Symphony – Overtones of String Theory” plus other Free Books, Discounts and Benefits.
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