Mental Health and – Page 2

29/09/201724/10/2018

Ancient Science of Metaphysics

Philosophy and the ancient science of metaphysics

Philosophy

The study of general and fundamental problems concerning matters such as existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language is the current description for the study of Philosophy. In ancient times, philosophy was the father of all the modern sciences. In trying to understand the human experience the great philosophers examined all manner of things from physics and mathematics to theology and the divine experience.

Without the enquiring mind of the philosopher and their ‘love of wisdom’, the question of ‘Why did that happen?’ would never have been asked, and the field of science and scientific enquiry would never have begun. It is the philosophers who must guide scientific enquiry to make sure it stays ‘on-track’.

The area of ethical practice in scientific enquiry is of paramount importance because sometimes scientist can lose sight of the forest because they are focusing on a tree. Philosophers try to keep a vision of the ‘big picture’.

The western culture philosophers include; Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Socrates, Machiavelli, Newton, Einstein and hundreds more.

The eastern culture philosophers include; Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, Lao Tzu, Confucius, Umaswati, Vasubandhu, Ghandi and hundreds more.

Every theological system or religion has a philosopher to thank for their beliefs.

Metaphysics

This is a branch of philosophy that examines the nature of reality and what is beyond the physical. According to Aristotle, there is a need for “a science that studies things (if indeed there are any) that are eternal, not subject to change, and independent of matter. Such a science, he says, is theology, and this is the “first” and “highest” science.” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

Aristotle referred to Metaphysics “as ‘first philosophy’, or ‘the study of being qua being’, or ‘wisdom’, or ‘theology’.” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy) The ‘being qua being’ is interpreted as involving “three things: (1) a study, (2) a subject matter (being), and (3) a manner in which the subject matter is studied (qua being).” (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

So, for me, metaphysics is the first philosophy in the study of the gaining of wisdom in understanding the divine nature of things. It necessitates an awareness of the expression of the divine within the mundane using guidance from ‘Hermes Trismegistus’ and the ‘Emerald Tablet’.

A translation of the Emerald Tablet can be found in Theatrum Chemicum, Volume IV (1613), in Georg Beatus’ Aureliae Occultae Philosophorum:^[9]^[10]

This is true and remote from all cover of falsehood
Whatever is below is similar to that which is above. Through this the marvels of the work of one thing are procured and perfected.
Also, as all things are made from one, by the [consideration] of one, so all things were made from this one, by conjunction.
The father of it is the sun, the mother the moon. The wind bore it in the womb. Its nurse is the earth, the mother of all perfection.
Its power is perfected. If it is turned into earth.
Separate the earth from the fire, the subtle and thin from the crude and [coarse], prudently, with modesty and wisdom.
This ascends from the earth into the sky and again descends from the sky to the earth, and receives the power and efficacy of things above and of things below.
By this means you will acquire the glory of the whole world,
And so you will drive away all shadows and blindness.
For this by its fortitude snatches the palm from all other fortitude and power. For it is able to penetrate and subdue everything subtle and everything crude and hard.
By this means the world was founded
And hence the marvelous conjunctions of it and admirable effects, since this is the way by which these marvels may be brought about.
And because of this they have called me Hermes Tristmegistus since I have the three parts of the wisdom and philosophy of the whole universe.
My speech is finished which I have spoken concerning the solar work

“For there can be no Religion more true or just, than to know the things that are; and to acknowledge thanks for all things, to Him that made them, which thing I shall not cease continually to do.” Stanza 2, Hermes Trisgestimus Book 1, Divine Pymander.

22/09/201722/09/2017

Urban myths and legends

urban myths

According to Wikipedia, an urban legend ‘is a form of modern folklore usually consisting of fictional stories, often with macabre elements, deeply rooted in local popular culture. These legends can be used for entertainment purposes, as well as semi-serious explanations for random events such as disappearances and strange objects.’

While these stories are entertaining, they usually do not have the key elements of the traditional myth or are about a legendary character. They also do not have the benefit of inner moral value or lessons needed to assist the philosopher (lover of wisdom) in their quest for truth.

They usually focus on a hapless victim of a specific, or vague, threat and is used to create fear or trepidation in the audience.

Urban myths also have a secondary effect, whether by design (if you believe conspiracy theorists) or not. They devalue the words ‘myth’ and ‘legend’.

The stories in Australia of ‘drop bears’ is used by locals to create fear in the minds of gullible tourist that koalas fall from the trees with the intent of attacking foreigners. Or, the tales of ‘yowies’ that live near watering holes and creeks, that take small children and animals and devours them. Along with the stories of ‘blowflies’ that can carry off sheep, white-pointer sharks in the oceans, and kangaroos hopping down the main streets of Sydney and Melbourne.

The effect in the minds of the general public is that a myth or legend is, therefore, based on erroneous information and is false. mythbusters

The television show ‘Mythbusters’ is usually about ‘busting’, or exposing the truth about the myth. They are very effective in using a scientific approach to testing the validity of the science behind the myth.

However, using a scientific method to examine a myth goes against what a myth is supposed to be. A myth does not contain historically accurate information. It is the hidden truth or wisdom contained within the myth that must be understood and brings with it a spiritual truth.

The traditional myth about a legendary character is so much more than a tale to entertain or frighten.

22/09/201722/09/2017

Legends: historical fact or spiritual truth.

Legends can have a strong connection to events in history. They are normally narratives that tell a story about characters in the legendary tale that are sometimes historical people, such as rulers or warriors, wrestling with supernatural and superhuman entities. Sometimes historical characters are imbued with mythic or magical powers, at the very least they have special talents.

The distinction between a legend and a myth can become fuzzy, since many legends derived supernatural or spiritual elements from mythology. Legends tend to relate stories about the world or even the lineage of particular members of society instead of stories about the spiritual or religious ideas. legendary dragon

Since a legend is tied to events in history, dragons in legend are sometimes considered ‘historical dragons.’ For example, in France, the dragon Tarasque is linked to a particular event in French history; as a result, the Tarasque is considered a ‘historical’ dragon.

The legend must include:

a hero – usually with a divine influence in their birth
a villain – a force that opposes the hero that can be viewed as evil

The stories about our hero must also include:

a quest or journey – that usually benefits everyone except the hero
obstacles or challenges the hero must overcome
a struggle against apparently insurmountable odds
eventual success!

The hero must confront the villain and use the skills learned through the different challenges or obstacles overcome along the journey. The ultimate success becomes a key to what makes the hero a legend and creates a platform for further stories on other adventures. Real or imagined!

These stories then become part of the myth surrounding the legend!

Urban myths and legends are something completely different entirely as they are often based on deliberately false or misleading information.

The truth is out there among the stories, we just need the wisdom to find it so that we can become the new legends into the modern age.

22/09/201722/09/2017

Myth: historical fact or spiritual guidance

“As to the myths, Plato declares … that they were the vehicles of great truths well worth the seeking.” H.P. Blavatsky, 1877. ‘Isis Unveiled’

Are myths a description of historical fact or spiritual guidance for us to achieve a state of enlightened living? Or, are they tales to keep us amused and philosophers stimulated with mental exercise?

Myth is an immensely complex subject, and often it is difficult to define except in opposition to other terms. Perhaps an oversimplification: mythology is traditional knowledge associated with ritual or social customs from a particular social group. In this way, myth is related to religious or spiritual elements, and a mythic story contains supernatural beings, deities, and spiritual powers.

Traditional knowledge is passed down by previous generations and can take the form of myth. If myth is accepted as traditional knowledge, it is an inherited set of ideas; and as traditional knowledge is not limited to any format, myth can apply to musical elements, rituals, chants, aphorism, epics, short stories, blessings, charms, spells, and so on.

dragonweb

The important distinction for myth is, generally speaking, the connection of spirituality and religion. A mythic dragon will appear alongside of deities, heroes, or monsters, and the myth will likely relate to a religious element, such as an icon, story, or blessing.

These myths passed from generation to generation has been an effective way to pass tribal wisdom to each new generation. Within the story-line of the myth is a moral value hidden within to stimulate discussion or further enquiry into deeper levels of understanding.

All myths have a similar structure;

Separation or departure
Initiation or death
Return or rebirth

In all myths, the ‘heroes journey’ results in the hero returning transformed or changed in some fundamental way that causes them to gain special powers or recognition of their divinity.

They are often stories about heroes as legendary characters involved in some struggle with a god, person or creature that is opposing them in some way. So they are stories about conflict and eventual victory. They often involve a quest on behalf of some benefit to their community, clan or social good.

The hero needs to face challenges or fears that he uses to develop skills that he or she can use at the next level of challenge. Each new skill helps the hero recognise a new level of their divine nature.

As H. P Blavatsky notes, it is a statement about the inherent divinity that exists in us all that we reach towards as a guide to our behaviour. They are an example for us to aspire to.

13/09/201727/04/2018

Hello world!

Welcome to Dragon’s Web.

I have long held the view that what the world needs is to reconnect with the myths and legends of our respective cultures.

For too long we have shifted to a reliance on ‘scientific thought’ and the desire to prove with facts that an event happened or that a person actually existed in order to give the story some validity.

We seem to have forgotten that the validity of the story comes from the message hidden within the tale. Whether the events or people actually existed is irrelevant to the message!

This is why movies and TV shows depicting the struggles between heroes and villains are so popular. They have replaced the stories found in books where your imagination could create the realms of ‘Middle Earth’ or of ‘Hogworts School of Wizardry’ far better than the artists working in the magical realm of movie magic. They just can’t compete with your imagination. sleeping dragon

A healthy imagination is so necessary for our mental and spiritual health!