BOOK 1 Part a
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BOOK I- UNDERSTANDING PART I INTRODUCTION One of the basis for any intellectual endeavor is communication; and communication is the instrument for furthering understanding. However, it is also vital that the reader begins to exercise his/her mental dexterity, since this text tests the ability of each individual to extend their mental capacity. Each word, as well as each concept and theory challenge the foundations of conventional thought. This book will provide a system for receiving and processing information, that will be followed by a discussion of the fundamental principles that this volume reveals. It is essential that this book be understood, in order to understand the ensuing discussions and the context in which they will be presented. UNDERSTANDING The world is confused. Too many people are looking for a hero, a meaning and most of all peace of mind. Some choose to run away from their family, friends, homes, or even themselves. Their fleeing may be physical in the form of avoidance; or mental in the form of drugs or insanity; or even spiritual in the form of religious rebirth. The only way to counter this madness is through the acquisition of knowledge. This book is intended to be an eye opener, a conduit toward enhancement of the human experience, and the heightened achievement of purpose in life. The beginnings of understanding life may lie between these lines, but hopefully readers can establish means of parlaying the knowledge gained here into their every-day lives, and in doing so create a more mutually accommodating society. The universe all over is a textbook, ready to be read. Some choose to read it; the rest choose to ignore it. Others just can not decipher it. The reasons are numerous. The fact that one even picks up this book signifies an attempt to gain greater knowledge. The information in this book will provide such knowledge; however, what is done with that knowledge depends on the reader's mental dexterity and their desire to comprehend. This book will examine some of the most fundamental laws, principles and beliefs of human culture. It will contradict many, give credence to others, and it will ultimately be judged by the reader. Regardless of the worth of the words, if the reader endures the duration of the text, REAL knowledge and wisdom will be gained in the understanding of the arcane and esoteric map we call Life. Defining Understanding Some describe understanding as the shaking of the head and occasionally saying hmm. Others think it is simply hearing and making mental translations of the thoughts expressed. Anyone engaged in any dialogue of intensity knows this is clearly not the case. In fact, listening and translating thoughts are only a preliminary process to understanding. Listening One of the main aspects to understanding is listening. Listening here is used to express the intake of information. It is an art, not a science. It requires a degree of concentration. Listeners must be able to drown out surrounding noise and ascertain the distinctions the illustrator of the information illustrates. There must be allowance for accents, punctuation, and accessibility (such as audibility) to the information being presented. Another critical facet of listening is the attentiveness. One must pay attention to the presenter of the information. This requires a degree of effort by the listener, to seek out means of overcoming distractions. Concentration is passive and can be done despite the conditions. Attentiveness is active, it must be a willful act of the individual. Allowing distraction due to lack of concentration or lack of attentiveness makes listening difficult. Translating Part of understanding is the translating of the expressed thoughts, whether they are verbal, physical, mental, etc. Once a thought is expressed it is essential that the receiver of the thought reach out of himself/herself, and into the person expressing the thought. All expressions do not have the same meaning to all. The context of the expression, the inflection used and the history of the person expressing the idea affects the form of expression chosen and the manner it is expressed. These three can not be separated. The context of the expression gives the presenter cues on how to present the information. The presenter observes the environment and assesses what is appropriate to say or not appropriate to say. He/she holds back what she/he determines should be held back and makes explicit what they think they can say. Numerous factors affect context, things such as social support, strength of position, emotional state, location, attentiveness of audience, etc. Inflection often affects a message. Most people realize that there is a difference between mildly saying, "Move" and "Move!" The latter creates a sense of urgency. Mild or slow, sluggish movements send different messages than short rapid movements. People will react differently to the two stimuli. The history of the speaker is of great significance. Often people have experiences in which a word is brought to their attention. They tend to associate that word with that specific experience. When the word is expressed again in another venue, translating is often difficult, especially if the difference is not made explicitly clear. Some may hear the phrase, "that shirt is bad." What does that mean, does it mean bad-good, or bad-bad? Most would presume it means bad-bad, unless it is made clear that it means bad-good. Hints toward the meaning can be found in inflection and context. However, this tends to complicate the matter. This is the crux of communication difficulties. If someone hears, the phrase, but because of the inflection of excitement, presumes it means bad-good, they may completely misunderstand the speaker if the speaker never heard or considered the notion that bad, could mean good. The speakers apparent expression of excitement, is indeed, their attempt to express disgust. For communication to be successfully achieved, it is best to utilize words commonly used, explain each new or nontraditional expression and if possible explain them in several different ways. When this is done, knowledge can begin to be gained. From Knowledge To Understanding A basic distinction between knowledge and understanding must be made at this point. Knowledge is all data, input, or information that is presented to an individual. It is absorbed innately, and accepted for what it is, it is (in terms of logic) the "Given". "The shirt is green," is knowledge. Understanding on the other hand is subjective. It is the knowledge that is relative only to an individual. The shirt being a bright color blend of yellow and blue, may be how someone understands it. Another may understand the knowledge to mean the shirt looks like an avocado, whatever it may be, it will all be subjective. To first understand one must take interest in what knowledge is being presented. Interest involves concern and a desire to receive what is presented. Knowledge seekers must put themselves in a position to acquire the knowledge they need. Therefore, waiting for knowledge will only lead to lack of knowledge, or at best limited knowledge, and ultimately will result in the lack of understanding. To understand, one must enter the forum that the knowledge is being presented with an open mind because a bias or prejudice predisposition can and will taint all information being presented. It is best to assume a stoic position when receiving new information. Stoic here means an indifferent attitude, the inability to be swayed by environmental conditions and ones emotional predisposition. Therefore, all previous experience should not bear influence on the new information unless it is pertinent to the apprehension of the knowledge. "The shirt is green," should only be understood to the point that you maintain a general understanding of what a shirt is and generally what the color green looks like. Later, the new knowledge can be incorporated into the old knowledge and an attempt to verify the validity of the information can be made. Was the shirt indeed “green,” or was it a high neon green as you might have thought? The way we perceive the universe is based on our understanding of it. If our view of the universe is based on how we understand it, then misunderstanding the universe can be detrimental to our perception of reality. Misunderstanding can be the undoing of all of life's potential because without a coherent understanding of the universe, everything becomes senseless. Life becomes confusing, contradictory and the pathway's life provide becomes blurred and indistinct. The Importance Of Understanding Understanding, therefore, not only creates our view of the universe, it also influences the decisions we make. Based on our understanding of the universe, everything we know and see becomes credible and real to us. There are many paths in life that can be taken, many paths that are ignored or go unnoticed, other paths that attract us, while others only nauseates, irritates or agitates us. Because of this, I am a staunch opponent to viewing any thing in essentially one perspective. To completely consider the nature of things, an observer must be able to observe from various points of view, taking into consideration opposing and conflicting views are paramount to understanding the reality of a situation. It so happens that practical truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. Recognition of this median principle does not give any conclusion credence. It only promotes the likelihood that the conclusion reached is the real one. It makes no sense to pretend that life is as simple as it is in our minds. The world to each inhabitant is as complicated as their minds would allow. Reality is viewed as it applies to them. Spectrum Of Understanding If one thinks in a limited manner, their world will remain limited. No one is capable of going beyond the mental limits placed on their mind, be it placed by nature, placed by their community or placed by the individual. The two latter can be overcome by the human spirit, which will be looked at later. By obtaining knowledge of oneself, and one existence, the puzzle life begins to fit quite symmetrically. However, on rare occasions, the limit to comprehension is placed by nature. The individual is left to cope with the situation as best they can, given their other talents. Their other talents may be unemphasized, because of social norms. As a result, it may remain dormant for a long time or even for their entire life time. The utility of the gift may never come to fruition because it is never given a forum for manifestation. There is another percentage that perceives reality beyond the perception of the senses. These are the gifted. They search for sight beyond the five or any other conventional senses. These people have the ability to perceive other realities. That is not to say that they will perceive other realities, only that they have the ability to perceive other realities. They can see things that are not presented to them; they can see the impossible. This perception goes way beyond the so called "objective perspective" that judges and juries supposedly utilize to assist them in decision making. Judges and juries can only observe options presented before them; they are limited by their context. On the other hand, that "percentage" referred to, have the ability to perceive what others do not and can not see. They can consider options never presented. To most people it would be maddening, to some it is. Some people that see life beyond the normal plane of sensual (sensory) existence become overwhelmed or confounded by the images revealed to them.. They do not learn how to cope with the images they receive. This manifest in several types of psychosis. This phenomenon has occurred throughout human history to some of the most brilliant minds. The same factors that allow for genius, allow for eccentricity and difference. This ability to perceive more than what the average person recognizes, is the very factor that makes a genius and an outcast. This is noted by men such as Galileo, Mozart, Darwin, Siddhartha, Ahknaten, Einstein, and many other great men and women of history.