" There is only one great adventure and that is inward toward the
self, and for that time nor space nor even deeds matter..."
Henry Miller
My Philosophy of Life
Eternal Self
by
Arthur Heyer
President
Extensions For Independence
Back to "Tips of Knowledge,..."
Before you read this, I want to make a statement about my belief in God,
which comes up from deep in my self: - I believe in God 100%, that God
is first and last, has ever existed, and will always exist, and that we are
God’s creation, and that God loves us, and that we owe God everything we
are. I believe that God is the ultimate Self, yet God is no body as
we know others, since nobody can be God, but God is everybody. Yet, we all
don’t make God either. God is never reachable, yet he is with us all the
time, because we are part of what God is.
I love life extremely, yet I don't fear death, because I believe that death is only
a transition between lives. [To me, Life (not "life", which refers to all
that grows and multiplies) is the manifestation of the Self or conscience
in any form, whether so called "material" or "spiritual".] Death is
the end of one life experience and the door to a new life experience as we
know it. Our body, and also our minds, become old and need to die,
so that "I" (the self) can effectively leave all the old stuff behind, and
start with a fresh beginning: a baby, a new chance, hopefully a healthy child
with good parents, good education and a good chance for a good and inspiring
life.
[1]
To believe that the self ("I") continues to
exist after the death of our bodies is evident as long as we can believe
that our own existence and the existence of all that we see and touch is
not speculation. "I" is the best known of the elements that form our existence.
If we believe that we are essentially equal to everybody else, and that everybody
else's life is or can be as unique as our own, we can then accept that we
could have been born as somebody else and have the same feel for "I" that
we now have. That would be our life which we would want to preserve
beyond death, just as most people want. If what was just said is in
agreement with reason, we can then go one step further and say that the only
thing that separates us from being anybody else is the fact that our "I"
(self) is already busy in our own bodies, and that it will be so as long
as we live. When our body that makes the person that we are dies, then
"I" will be free to be somebody else. Said in a different way: The new person
develops a conscience of self existence, which we call "I", a happening which
is common to all conscious creatures that are born.
The "Eternal-Self" belief is highly positive, because
it encourages the believer to use his or her present life opportunity to do
as much good as possible to all others. This is so, because a believer of
the Eternal Self knows that he/she could come back as a member of the group,
race, or sex he/she ignores, discriminates, or hates. What we enjoy
now could be missing in our next life. The Eternal Self has Karma attached
to it. A better world for all is
the solution to any fear that some may have of an uncertain future. If more
people believed in reincarnation, more members of rich societies would think
less of the enhancement of their present ways of life, and more of the misery
many millions live in,... and do something about it.
It took me 51 years to finally come to feel and
understand what I feel and understand now. Before any thing else, I
believe that common sense is our best guide to the truth of that which is
not obvious and well known, and that it takes time to "digest" new ideas
in ones mind. I cannot be 100% certain of the truth of my believes,
and I don't yet understand all that there is to understand, but I am satisfied
for what I have accomplished so far, and I am with my mind open.
My philosophy as I state it is the result
of a lifetime of thinking and observation with limited reading. My
father, who is a profound believer in reincarnation (he does read much on
the subject), coincides much with what I think, but I may be little more
spiritually hypothetical. This perhaps is because he did not receive
a religious education before he married my mother at age 30. On the
other hand, my mother, who was and still is a devoted catholic,
raised us as such. I feel that thanks to the
two main influences (science oriented father and religious mother) I now
feel so whole and tolerant. Any belief that promotes a positive attitude
for life is good for me and I am tolerant to. I may never see the complete
picture before I pass away, but I accept that and feel good about it, because
I trust God's wisdom, and there is a lot of wisdom in all that is natural
and logical.
Next is two related links I have enjoyed reading
from:
1. Christ & the Kundalini
1. #2. #3. #4. #5. #6.
#7. #8. #9. #10. #11. #12. Home. Contrary to popular Christian dogma, Christ
did teach about Karma, reincarnation, self-realization.
http://www.sol.com.au/kor/8_01.htm
- size 29K - 17-Jul-97 - English - Translate (Search engine: Alta Vista)
2. The Keys to Kaballah
Goddess image as the
rebirth of the Soul or Higher Self. THE KEYS TO KABBALAH. Alan Bain. C 1970,1972,1985,1995.
Part one. Preface. to the electronic...
http://www.euronet.nl/users/euser/keyskab.htm
- size 275K - 30-Apr-97 - English - Translate (Search engine: Alta Vista)
My Philosophy of Life does not end here.
This was only the first chapter. There is more to be added to this chapter,
and there are other chapters pending as well. To comment on what I
have written so far, please write me at Email
<>
Four persons have sent me their comments
up to now.
One of them I'd like to keep it personal, another
one was just a word of approval, the other two are of public interest. Next
is the text of the first reader's comment, my reply follows, and last is the
other reader's letter,
which I enjoyed very much.
Note: I have made additions to the first paragraph of My Philosophy
of Life above, since the time I received the letter of criticism below.
It is only fair to say that Linda, who wrote me the e-mail below, would perhaps
not have felt compelled to write to me if she had read what you saw. Next
is the paragraph that Linda saw, and then her letter (in pink):
I love life extremely, yet I don't fear death, because I
believe that death is only a transition between lives. Death is the end of
one life experience and the door to a new life experience. Our body,
and also our minds, become old and need to die, so that "I" (the self) can
effectively leave all the old stuff behind, and start with a fresh beginning:
a baby, a new chance, hopefully a healthy child with good parents, good education
and a good chance for a good and inspiring life.
I must remark on your philosophy which is grossly wrong.
I know you said
your mother is catholic but I wonder how much personal seeking yuo have done.
I think reincarnation is a comfortable philosophy and that is why so many
people believe it but is it the truth? Are you really seeking the truth
or a
comfortable philosophy?
The Bible teaches that God knew us
before we were born, He has a plan
for our lives and that is appointed for man ONCE to die and then the
JUDGEMENT. We learn than there is nothing good in ourselves compared
to the
holiness of God. (of course in our eyes we look pretty good if we are good,
moral, just etc.) God's message is one of the ultimate love. I
do believe
in eternal life but that our bodies are a shell and when they are gone, they
are gone. The Bible teaches we can't reach God on our own but He has
provided the way. Jesus said, I am the way, the truth and the life
NO MAN
comes to the Father but through Me. I believe we can be very religious and
not know God.
I came to a personal
relationship with Jesus when I was 16 years old.
(in 1970) God became real to me personally, not just something to talk
about
but real beyond a doubt. I prayed that God would make Himself evident
to me
and he did. I had been in church most of my life but it wasn't personal.
I
know as we develop our relationship with God we come to know Him better.
It
is much the same as any relationship. As we pray, read God's word,
meditate
on God's word our relationship with Him grows. We come to know the
character
of God and put our trust and faith in Him because God cannot lie.
Keep searching brother and don't
settle for what is comfortable. God
brings real peace. He brought it to me and He'll bring it to you.
Read the
Bible, read, read, read and pray that God will open your eyes to His truth.
Most sincerely, Linda
|
Dear Linda,
Thank you for your letter. I read it with much interest. I
have
a small answer for you, and I hope that you don't find it as perturbing
as "my philosophy of life" page.
All or most religions
seek to answer the questions most
everybody makes to themselves at some point in their lives: who are
we?,
why do we exist?, where do we come from?, etc. These
questions need an
answer, else we become erratic; we loose direction. Some lucky
people
like you have found what they need in the teachings of the Bible
alone,
and that is comfortable; but I need a different perspective, therefore
I
have to seek deeper or broader, whatever. Below is a couple
of
paragraphs I took from a reference I gave in "my philosophy of life"
page: "Christ & the Kundalini". Read them carefully and
without
prejudice. See if you get a better understanding of my feelings.
Please
believe me that I have no intention to change your believes.
I just want
you to understand mine.
From the Nag Hammadi Library, the Book of Thomas, Christ tells
us "For whoever does not know self, does not know anything, but whoever
knows self, already has acquired knowledge about the depth of the
universe". Compare this with a tract from the Upanishads, the
Indian
metaphysical treatise on Self Realization: "It is not by
argument that the self is known... Distinguish the self from the
body and
mind. The self, the atman, the highest refuge of all, pervades the
Universe
and dwells in the hearts of all. Those who are instructed in the
self and who
practice constant meditation attain that changeless and self effulgent
atman
( spirit/ self). Do Thou Likewise, for bliss eternal lies before
you..."
In another gnostic text, the Secret Gospel of Thomas, Christ
promises us spiritual fulfillment "I shall give you what no eye has
seen,
what no ear has heard, what no hand has touched and what has never
arisen in the human mind." This description is not unlike the Upanishadic
experience "the Self is devoid of birth and death, it neither grows
old
nor decays and the accidents of life do not affect it. The Self transcends
space and time; what is great is not too great for it to comprehend
and
what is small is not too small to escape its attention. It is the
Self
of All"
----- Original Message -----
From: CLAIRE WHITLEY
To: life@mouthstick.net
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2000 7:42 PM
Subject: life philosophy
Arthur: I too believe wholeheartedly in reincarnation,
for only in this philosophy is the answer to all the religious and philosophical
questions that have plagued earnest spiritual seekers throughout the ages.
I have been a seeker of Truth for sixty years and have found great peace
of mind as the answers gradually came. No book, church, group
or orientation can give us all of the truth, but all of these can help us
if we diligently search and seek with an open mind. I am overjoyed
every time I learn of someone who is on the "path". You are truly blessed.
Keep up the good work ....."Seek and ye shall find. Ask and it shall
be opened unto." I respect Linda' s philosophy and I am glad that she
has found something that brings her peace of mind. However, I am disappointed
that she says you are wrong. Surely she is aware that we are not to
judge others. I would not be too surprised if in another ten or twenty
years, some new experiences or newfound knowledge leads her to a conclusion
similar to ours. I, too, had an orthodox religious upbringing and was
a faithful churchgoer, but in the teachings of Jesus I found so many allusions
to a deeper truth than was expounded in church doctrine. So I
began my search......Hundreds of books, study of all major world religions,
many personal experiences , and wonderful philosophical discussions
with wise people I met have all contributed to a greater spiritual
awakening and the answer to the many questions that used to bother me.
It took me seven years to fully accept the truth of reincarnation, but now
I truly believe that a knowledge and understanding of the laws of reincarnation
is the beginning of the path to real wisdom. Keep searching, Arthur,
and you will be blessed beyond your fondest dreams! (And Linda, reincarnation
is not a philosophy of ease....for in it, we find that we alone are responsible
for the ills that befall us--"for whatsoever we sow, that shall we also reap"----and
we have sown more that you could ever imagine! But I find no fault
with your beliefs, for we must all follow our own path in seeking God.)
Metafella.
|
----- Original Message -----
From: "Patrick Bakaly" <pbakaly@hotmail.com>
To: <life@mouthstick.net>
Sent: Sunday, January 28, 2001 4:59 PM
first, let me tell you about me. igrew up in a strongly religious
familly(christians, in africa) and it was very hard for me and my brother
to
not beleive in GOD (the christian god) eventhough i had always been
unconfortable with all the questions that would come to my mind, i would'nt
dare discuss it or even continue thinking about it now when i think about
it
i realize that that is probably the main reason i decided to look for a more
plausible truth(why wouldnt my religion allow me to question that belief?)it
didnt bother me as a kid but it sure did growing up and being exposed to
other cultures and religions then i discover this PHYLOSOPHY OF LIFE which
is, from my point of view a mixture of hindusim, buddism, and ancient
egyptian as well as african religion. now what i find amazing about it is
the fact that ican trace it all the way through science as well.lately i've
come to realize that this theory, when looked at very deeply without losing
site of our logic brings together the two big schools of thoughts within
metaphysic(materialits and spiritualists-if i may-). well i just want you
to
know that i admire your following of a path that is strongly avoided by the
majority.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
|
----- Original Message -----
From: Ticked58@aol.com
To: life@mouthstick.net
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 9:15 PM
Subject: I have a question for you.....
Hi. I have one questoin for you how can you take out some parts
of the Bible and use them in youre beliefs and theories but not use the rest
of the Bible which proceeds to say that there is a Heaven and Hell and that
one day You will be judged not by life but by God. Its hard for me to believe
that a man like you has been searching whole heartedly and has not found
the
truth. And if reincarnation is right and true then tell me why we cant
remember our past lifes and how are we suppost to know what to do better in
this life if we dont know what we did wrong in our past life. What is our
ultimate goal to become Gods or something? Please I am very curious to
understand where you are coming from here. Thanks for reading this please
write me back......liltroy9@yahoo.com
REPLY:
Dear ?,
I realize that I have put off replying to this letter
of yours already too long, and although I will try to answer at least some
of your several questions this morning, I decided that I will let our readers
to help with the answers as well. I will pick the 3 last questions
for now:
You wrote: ...if reincarnation is right and true then tell
me 1) why we cant
remember our past lives and 2) how are we supposed to know
what to do better in this life if we don’t know what we did wrong in our
past life? 3)What is our
ultimate goal to become Gods or something?
REPLY to 1) because our memories reside mainly in
our brains, which are the first to die with us. I say "mainly" because copies
of our memories may sometimes be transmitted telepathically to the minds
of people who are very much like us deep in our common minds. This may explain
the fact that some people do remember past lives, meaning that the compatible
person transmitted his/her memories to the new born, directly, or indirectly
through other minds, which would explain the sometimes apparently long time
lapses between "lives".
REPLY to 2) if you want to correct what you did wrong
in past lives, just do your best to help fix one or more of the many wrong
things in our society, which we have inherited. Perhaps this explains
why the Bible says about us having to pay for the sins of our first parents.
Although I am not an erudite on Bible studies, I know of several references
to reincarnation.
REPLY to 3) to come back to God. I think of
conscience as a pyramid where God is at the top, the animals move at the
bottom, and we are somewhere in between.
Arthur Heyer
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