Sunday, March 28, 2010

Self-Deception


"The greatest deception men suffer is
from their own opinions."

- Leonardo da Vinci

A deception is an un-truth, an intentional misguidance, a lie. When
we deceive someone else we are, in fact, lying to them. When we
deceive ourselves we are either lying to ourselves or we are
accepting as Truth a lie or a misguidance from someone else.

With this thought in mind, why is it oftentimes much easier for us
to believe lies and deceptions than it is for us to believe and accept
the Truth?

One reason we allow ourselves to be deceived is that there are
certain things we wish were true. We blind ourselves to all actions,
information and facts that are in opposition to whatever it is that
we "wish" to Believe. We deceive ourselves into believing that if we
blindly follow a deception it will eventually turn itself into the Truth.
However, as a deception or lie is completely contradictory to the
Truth, this "wish" of ours can never come into fruition and we end
up holding the rotted remains of a Self-Deception of our own
creation.

A second way in which we permit ourselves to be deceived is when
we allow the Opinions, arguments and self-serving comments of
others to influence our judgement.

In any issue there is only one Truth. However, in this same issue
there are many arguments and opinions which are contrary to the
Truth.

Why is this so?

The answer is rather simple. There is only one Truth. Truth does
not force itself upon anyone. Once it is spoken, or revealed, there
is no more to be said. Truth simply states its case and leaves it up
to us to either accept or reject it. Truth cannot add any arguments
or opinions to itself. Truth also has no reason to defend itself. The
Truth is simply...The Truth! This is why it is so easy for the
enemies of Truth to attack it.

For while Truth has has only one way to present itself, lies and
deceptions have many different avenues through which they can
attack the Truth and deceive unwary victims. Some of the ways
in which lies and deceptions attack the Truth is by way of Debates,
confusion and Opinions forced upon us by self-serving "experts"
and servant messengers.

We have been educated into believing that we must debate, and
"look at", all sides of an issue. Often, doing so simply clouds and
confuses an issue by allowing the demons of deception to enter
into the debate.

We also tend to believe that we must have a "devil's advocate" to
attack an issue simply for the sake of attacking it. In following the
path of devil's advocate, we often ultimately find the devil itself.

We have also been taught to believe that more "information"
enables us to make a better Decision. However, more "information"
usually adds to more confusion. Once the basic facts (the Truth)
of an issue has been un-veiled, anything else we add to the issue
simply creates a thick Mist of arguments and deceptions which
clouds the issue, confounds our thinking and leads us to erroneous
conclusions and Actions.

The vast armies of lies and deceptions are well-trained and well-
experienced. They have been practicing and perfecting their craft
for ages. Their "silver tongued" messengers have entranced and
slaughtered many innocent victims by persuading them to believe
in the folly and not the fact. For folly receives so much more
attention and promotion than does fact (Truth).

It is our responsibility to banish the specters of lies and deceptions
when they appear before us. However, before we can banish these
demons, we must first be able to recognize them.

Here are some of the ways in which we can protect ourselves
from being deceived:

Whenever we find ourselves confused about an issue we should
consider stepping back and taking a different look at whatever it is
that is confusing us. Confusion is a warning signal that either the
issue itself is not clear to us or we are allowing too much "information"
to clutter the issue and cloud our judgement.

Whenever we find ourselves entranced by, and carried away upon,
a wave of popular hysteria we must consider the fact that deception
is afoot and is working its diabolical miseries upon the masses. Truth
is simple and quiet; it does not present itself by means of popular
hysterias and delusions.

Whenever we find ourselves being entrapped into "looking at all
sides" of an issue we should realize that we are no longer
concentrating on the central issue, whatever it may be, but are
being led astray by multiple arguments and opinions which have
little, if anything, to do with the core issue. It is in times like these
that we must remind ourselves that deception has many "sides"
whereas the Truth has only one. The Truth is simply The Truth.

Whenever we find ourselves simply "wishing" something were true,
or when we find ourselves blindly accepting the arguments and
opinions of others without doing our own in-depth research, we are
opening ourselves up to a Self-Deception for which we have no one
to blame but ourselves.

Remembering that the Truth is simple, quiet and uncluttered we
should avoid all ideas, opinions and arguments which are loudly
forced upon us by the specters of deception. Once we are
introduced to the Truth we must accept it for what it is...simply
The Truth. Failure to recognize and accept The Truth when it is
presented to us can only lead us into dire Consequences.

Once we eliminate the clutter and wishful thinking which the agents
of deception plant in our minds we become able to focus on the
basic Truth of the issue which is before us. Then, with a clear mind
and unwavering understanding we are able to confidently act upon
the issue which is currently confronting us and banish the unholy
demons of Self-Deception from our lives.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2010
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Sunday, March 21, 2010

Coincidence


"God does not play dice with the Universe."
- Albert Einstein

"There is no such thing as a random coincidence."
- Joseph Panek

When two or more apparently unrelated Events or circumstances
happen at the same time it is not unusual for us to say, "wow,
what a strange coincidence!". We then tend to brush-off these
unexpected occurrences of as simply an un-natural phenomenon
or a random act of Nature.

Unexpected, perhaps. But to accuse Nature (which is an aspect of
Divinity) of performing something randomly or un-naturally is to
cast false judgement on Divinity Itself!

There are many Laws of Nature which we may be unfamiliar with.
But, just because we are unaware of them, this does not make them
un-natural or random.

There is no such thing as an un-natural coincidence. Everything
which occurs in the Universe does so for a specific Divine reason;
and it does so at its appropriate moment in Time.

When we speak of coincidences, what we are really speaking of are
events or circumstances which coincide with other circumstances
or events. Thus, coincidences are, in fact, coincide-ences.

The Universe contains an infinite number of Cycles which repeat
throughout Eternity. When two or more of these Cycles coincide
with one another an event, a coincide-ence, occurs.

When the appropriate amount of pressure builds up beneath the
earth's crust, it looks for a weak spot through which it can escape.
This coincide-ence of pressure and a weak spot in the earth's crust
causes a volcanic eruption to occur.

When temperature reaches a certain level it will cause an oily rag to
combust. This coincide-ence of temperature and flammable material
causes the oily rag to burst into flames.

These events may be unexpected; they may even be unfortunate;
but, they are not un-natural or random.

Coincidences, things which coincide, are natural pieces of a Divine
Puzzle which are governed by Divine Law. And though a Divine
Law may be a Divine Mystery to us, it is a Divine Law nonetheless.

These Divine Laws, these Coincidences, are a Mystery to us simply
because at our current level of evolution our faculties have not yet
progressed far enough to recognize and understand the Divine
Truths which lie hidden behind these Divine Laws...these Divine
Mysteries...these Coincidences.

With these thoughts in mind, the next time we experience an
"unusual coincidence" let's not simply "brush it off" as a mere
happenstance but recognize that "something" mysterious and
special is happening which we should pay attention to, investigate
and Learn from.

Coincidences are the veiled Mysteries of the Universe. Once we
begin to pull aside the veils which hide these Mysteries we become
Aware of all of the undiscovered Magic which Nature has conjured
up for us in order to make our Current Incarnation the Adventure
of a lifetime!

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2010
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Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Four Elements
(Alchemy, Astrology, Symbolism)


Esoterically, metaphysically, and astrologically we are Instructed
that the realm of matter consists of The Four Elements: Fire, Earth,
Air, and Water. Each one of these Elements is an integral part of the
physical universe. Therefore, creation is manifested by way of these
Four Elements.

Human beings are physical creations. Human beings exist in the
material realm. Thereby, human beings consist of, and are governed
by, the Divine Essences contained within, and expressed by, The
Four Elements.

The Four Elements are divided into two classes: one class consists
of the two seen, or visible, Elements and the other class consists of
the two the unseen, or invisible, Elements. The two visible Elements
are Fire and Earth, and the two unseen Elements are Air and Water.
With this in mind, let us take a look at each one of these Four
Elements so that we can better understand how we have been
designed by Deity to function within the realm of matter.

The Two Visible Elements (Man and Woman):

Fire:
Fire is the masculine principle which radiates: it is assertive
and bestowing. Fire is the masculine Seed which impregnates the
feminine Womb. In the physical realm Fire is the Man; it is also
the Sun.

Earth: Earth is the feminine principle which receives: it is passive
and receptive. Earth is the feminine Womb which accepts the
masculine Seed. In the physical realm Earth is the Woman; it is
also Mother Earth.

The Two Invisible Elements (Thoughts and Feelings):

Air: Air is the masculine, mental principle: it is the conscious,
rational mind where Thoughts and ideas are created. The mind is
also the Gateway to Imagination. In the physical realm, Air is the
atmosphere and heavens above us into which we gaze for inspiration
and guidance.

Water: Water is the feminine, spiritual principle: it is the intuitive
Subconscious; it is the realm of feelings. It is also the deep Spiritual
Ocean, the primeval Chaos, where everything already exists and
awaits manifestation. In the physical realm, the Element of Water
represents our deep oceans which conceal and Veil, the numerous
Mysteries which lie below their surfaces.

A unique combination of The Four Elements exists in each one of
us and their unique combination determines who we are; they
determine our Divine Nature. For although we may be born a man
or a woman, a portion of the opposite gender is incorporated into
each and every one of us. This Divine Truth is expressed by way of
the yin-yang Symbol.

However, although all Four Elements exist within every one of us,
they are merely the "building blocks" necessary for creation. They
are not creation in and of themselves. For creation to occur, life
must be "breathed" into them by the Breath of Divinity which is
spoken of in all ancient texts. This "Breath of Divinity" is the
Mysterious and quintessential Fifth Element called Aether.

See also:
"The Apple - As A Symbol"

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2010
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Sunday, March 7, 2010

Symbols And Symbolism


"Nature speaks in symbols and in signs."
- John Greenleaf Whittier

Symbols are mankind's way of attempting to express abstract
concepts and Divine Mysteries by way of drawings, artwork,
statues, patterns and designs.

We find artistic representations (Symbols) of the abstract and
Divine in the calligraphy writing of China and in the hieroglyphic
characters of the ancient Egyptians, Mayans and Aztecs.

We see Symbolic representations of abstract concepts etched
upon ancient pottery and carved upon cave walls and stone
monuments. We even see Symbols drawn within burial sites that
pre-date recorded history and the most ancient writing.

Since the most ancient times mankind has expressed its thoughts,
experiences, feelings and beliefs through the use of Symbols.
Ancient cultures understood that certain animals, metals, patterns,
Cycles and Events - both earthly and heavenly - were physical
expressions of the unseen Divine Forces which governed their
everyday existence and they used Symbols to pictorially represent
these Divine Essences and Events.

The Ancients also understood that they lived in a world of duality
which expressed itself as either a masculine or feminine principle
of nature. Masculine principles are those aspects of nature which
are assertive, bestowing, logical and conscious - the Seed.
Feminine principles are those aspects of nature which are passive,
receptive, intuitive and subconscious - the Womb.

We are most familiar with these masculine and feminine Symbolic
expressions by way of the Egyptian Neters (generally referred to
as Egyptian gods and goddesses) whereby either a masculine or
feminine figure is portrayed with either the head of an animal,
or some type of physical Symbol depicted atop their head. If the
Neter expresses a feminine principle of Divinity it has a woman's
body and if the Neter expresses a masculine principle of Divinity
it has a man's body.

Abstract concepts such as Truth, Harmony, Justice, Order and
Balance were also expressed through Symbols. And the Ancients
were very exact in choosing which animal, weapon, shape or
implement they selected to express these abstract concepts.
The most important thing to keep in mind when attempting to
translate and understand a Symbol is that a Symbol does not
simply represent a word, or a letter of an alphabet. A Symbol
represents a Concept! And because it represents a concept, it
encompasses all of the various meanings, definitions and insights
contained within that particular Concept.

It is extremely difficult to evaluate Ancient expressions (Symbols)
by way of modern Western thought; for modern Western thought
is bound, and limited, by letters and Words. However, Ancient
Symbolism, and even current Eastern thought, is unbound and
evaluates life, Nature and Divinity by way of Concepts - Concepts
portrayed by way of Symbols.

An equally important thing to keep in mind, when attempting to
understand Symbols and Symbolism is that for us to properly
understand the meaning of Ancient Symbols we must imagine the
way in which Ancient Cultures lived, thought, farmed and hunted.
We must also try to imagine the immense, dark, star-studded and
awe-inspiring night sky under which these Ancients lived; a rotating
night sky full of not only stars but planets, comets, meteors,
Shooting-Stars and Lightening. And finally we must try to imagine
how these Ancient peoples interacted within their society, with
their neighbors and with the countless, and uncertain, elements of
Nature to which they were exposed.

And finally, we must remember that because Symbolism is
extremely Ancient, the Divine Principles and Concepts which the
Ancients Symbolized could only be expressed in the tools, weapons,
and implements which were available to Ancient Cultures during
their Time.

For example: Where we would express "measurement" by means
of surveying equipment, the Ancients would use a rope to Symbolize
this same Concept. Where we may use a bullet to express the
"speed of thought" the Ancients Symbolized this concept by means
of the Arrow. Where we may express the means of "cutting" or
"dissecting" by way of a laser beam, the Ancients would Symbolize
this concept with a knife or Sword. And, where we would express
the concept of "communication" by way of a computer or radio, the
Ancients would Symbolize this same concept through the image of
the Tongue.

When we consider all that must be absorbed into the translation
of Symbols and Symbolism it is easy to understand how Ancient
Symbols can easily be either Mis-translated or partially translated.
This in turn can lead to our misunderstanding, and confusion, of
what a particular Symbol fully represents. And if we have difficulty
in understanding a single Symbol, how can we possibly fully
understand the Divine Truths and Concepts contained within
Ancient texts which are "written" with only Symbols?

Since Symbols represent Concepts, they can only be understood
through our intuition and Subconscious; not through reason and
logic. Ancient Symbols are the archetypes, the original mental
impressions, which have been part of our nature since the earliest
beginnings of Time. Symbols are Sacred esoteric depictions which
the Ancients used to describe Divine Concepts.

And because Symbolism is embedded deeply within each one of us,
it is up to us to reach deep within if we wish to understand, feel and
un-Veil the Sacred Concepts which Ancient Symbolism is designed
to reveal to us.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2010
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