`Meta' in Greek means over, and it is also understood
as behind and after. The word `metaphysics' is said to originate from the
mere fact that the corresponding part of Aristotle's
work was positioned right after the part called `physics'. But it
is not unlikely that the term won a ready acceptance as denoting the whole
field of knowledge because it conveyed the purpose of metaphysics,
which is to reach beyond the nature (`physics') as we perceive it, and
to discover the `true nature' of things, their ultimate essence and the
reason for being.
So metaphysics
is the branch of philosophy concerned with the ultimate nature of existence.
Ontology
is the study of what exists.
Cosmology
and philosophical theology are its main branches. Some cosmologists believe
that the existence and order of the cosmos can be accounted for scientifically.
Others think that mass-bearing material things exist because we are located
in a particular part of the world where they appear to exist.
Scientists gain information about what exists by interacting
with and observing different features of the world, and searching for the
best explanations of the information they gain that way. This method of
studying what exists is empirical
and largely pragmatic. Consciousness
should be part of science and yet somehow present special difficulties.
Here is an example: "Why is there any being at all and not rather Nothing?"
or "Why does anything exist?"
None of us do anything as well as we potentially can.
We can all learn to read faster, jump higher, discriminate colors more
precisely, reason more accurately, and so on through practically any abilities
you can name. One of these abilities is our ability at self-repair and
self-recuperation.
This too usually operates far below potential. The process of conscious
living and especially a profound knowledge of body cycles can apparently
influence things such as: coordination, immunity
to disease, strength, mental stability, moods,
logic thinking, ability to learn, memory recall, instincts, etc.
To focus the mind is regarded by some as a profound way
to clear and heal oneself physically, emotionally and spiritually and is
said to suspend time and space, allowing physical and emotional
blocks to be released, resulting in a new kind of clarity, energy and
healing. The implication is that psychological re-organization of large
patterns of information allows the body to heal itself psychically. Curiosity
and imagination may be the bottom line that makes the difference between
wellness and illness. If you give your subconscious enough data, it seems
to filter through and find what it needs.
The mystic and the modern physicist show a similarity.
These are two ways of being... conceptualizing reality and reacting to
reality. The supreme teachers of mankind all seem to indicate a path encompassing
the data from both realities. The findings of both are ineffable: they
cannot be directly stated in clear language. Everyday language is apparently
inadequate. A wide variety of "techniques" has been used to attain an altered
state of consciousness for perceiving and reacting to the universe
as if it were run on a different set of laws and principles than those
we "normally" believe to be operating.
In some respects, science seems to be making inroads into
what was once thought to be magical or miraculous. But also through technology
we have in our hands the keys to complete destruction of our species and
our world, as we know it!
And too often we witness a shocking lack of concern for
the welfare of others. We are faced with time pressure, excessive and diverse
responsibility and accountability. Stress from problems with over-crowding,
money, relationships, and living conditions directly increases serious
illness and social problems.
"We seek detachment from a chaotic, confusing,
baffling world. And we seek it in dreams, and fantasy. To divorce
them is a dangerous act. In antique cultures the dream was a part
of life itself. It was acted out in rituals.
Everyone was engaged in unraveling the mysterious dreams, which was an
indication of psychic life. Those who built the cathedrals or the temples
of antiquity were not unaware of peoples' misery. They simply believed
that a religious myth could make their lives bearable. They never thought
that this misery had a practical solution.
By living with imagination, and learning to
concretize our dreams, we come to realize that ours is not a single, unique,
isolated experience, but related to others dreams. Our myth has been dreamed
by others. This is a myth that comes from the unconscious, which is not
isolated and unique, but universal.
By moving beyond sharp differences, sharply
defined boundaries, and learning to see the interaction between everything,
the relation between everything. We may learn not to oppose
the subjective to the objective; imagination to realism."
-Anais
Nin
Perhaps the biggest test of our intelligence and compassion
is to find solutions, through understanding, co-operation, even a new form
of morality which takes into account the sacredness of every life form.
