Language proves inadequate at expressing the Truth of the Absolute; for expressions about It are only representations-, not the original, Itself. Thus, when we attempt to describe It via our “A, B, C’s” (or equally valuable letters of other languages), we create a distorted understanding. We, the finite expression, can never replicate the Infinite. In other words, the Absolute is a One Off, a No-Thing that can’t be copied. Despite our best diligence, we unwittingly create conceptual idols. The “catch” is that although we can never know the Absolute, we can–through divine revelation–“be” It. One example of an attempt to explain That which cannot be known takes the form of the following question and answer from a book entitled All There Is, by Tony Parsons:

“When you say ‘just this’ [referring to the Absolute], would you call it a vibration or energy?”

“You could call it energy. You could call it life. All there is is life. There is no one living a life–there is life. All there is, is life apparently happening–only apparently.”

In an attempt to convey “knowing” which is impossible to convey, I offer this: We, as the apparent body-mind (person), are actually a function “of” the Absolute. In an environment (realm) that’s forever in flux, how do we logically believe that it’s possible to get a discrete “person,” when even time and space are elements within the dream? They are, in fact, the stage upon which the illusion of our lives is played. Our biggest blunder is the assumption that it’s possible to exist independent of the Creator. Such is analagous to Leonard the light bulb believing that he shines without being connected to the electric source which illumines him.

That we don’t exist as persons (I am being absolutely serious) is more easily understood when we realize that the characters within nighttime dreams are a function of the finite mind. During the dream, these conceptual characters sing, dance, and plan their lives; but the Substance of them, as with us, right here and now, is Consciousness d-r-e-a-m-i-n-g. To that daring statement, I add the following quote from the spiritual classic entitled I Am That, by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj:

“The real does not die; the unreal never lived.”

More evidence is supplied through Saying 50 (of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus) from The Gospel of Thomas:

(1) Jesus said: “If they say to you, ‘Where have you come from?’ say to them,

‘We have come from the light, from the place where the light came into being by itself, established [itself], and appeared in their image.’

(2) If they say to you, ‘Is it you?’ say,

‘We are its children, and we are the chosen of the living Father.’

(3) If they ask you, ‘What is the evidence of your Father in you?’ say to them,

‘It is motion and rest.'”

Note: Does that sound like the description of an Infinite Movie Projector to you? God/Consciousness is FIRST, and humans (ideas that are “created in Its image and likeness“) are projected into time and space, where we (as expressed in Acts 17:28) “live and move and have our being through Him.” This correlates with teachings of the law of attraction and explains why our “self image” is so important. Jesus expressed the same message when he said, “be it done unto you according to your faith.”

The most important question related to self inquiry about our essential nature is this: Are we willing to let go of an apparent lesser thing (the illusory person), to Be a No-Thing beyond definition? Even if our answer is “no,” we cannot escape actually Being It.

Dare to dream (and care for one another).

With heartfelt regards,

Art

Copyright © – 2022 – R. Arthur Russell

P.S. Please share this article if you enjoyed it. If you’d like to view my latest book (This Taste of Flesh and Bones), press here. My YouTube videos can be found at Think2wice@I-Am-Aware. May the content of either or both help you along your spiritual journey. “Thank You” & “Note to Publishers” 🙏🏻🧡