Very interesting. Steinmetz's comment that people were only playing with the spiritual force rather than studying it begs the question, How might one study this force? From my understanding, science uses measurement, manipulation and control to run experiments, and these approaches don't work in the spiritual realm. Surely spiritual forces can only be observed and experienced, not produced at will? While I agree that the world has prioritised the study of physical forces over spiritual forces, I think that this has to do with the fact that the former offer a route to power and profit, whereas the latter offer a route to compassion and mutual care. What we've seen is, therefore, a manifestation of the impulse to value strength over gentleness and drama over peace. The emerging shift away from religion towards personal encounters with the spiritual realm will result in more and more testimonies of transformation, and it is these, not laboratory experiments, that will yield the changes that Steinmetz foresaw.
I love your perspective here and completely agree. We don’t understand how to study the metaphysical, and I don’t think we will ever be able to on behalf of all of humanity. We need to individually seek out spiritual guidance and compassionately encourage each other to do the same.
There is a way, or several ways to study spiritual forces with a scientific method-like approach. Ceremonial magicians have been doing just that for 100s to thousands of years.
I guess you make a good point. I hadn't thought of methods outside the use of laboratory equipment. In a sense, psychology also uses scientific methods when it studies altered states of consciousness
Way to go asking the BIGGEST question and proposing the biggest theories Jen! I am thrilled to be alive at a time in history when science is starting to ask probing questions that previously were thought to be either crazy or out of the realm of scientific investigation.
I love all these topics and enjoy the way you’ve weaved them together!
I believe we can discover more beyond the mind. What I’ve found is the first step towards expanding awareness into the beyond is through meditation. Once you get past the noise of the mind and the processing of thoughts, you tap into something BIGGER that completely shatters your old concept of reality.
I have to really wrestle with Meta cognition over the last 18 months, coming to terms with the fact that I was not as "in control" of my mind as I believed. she's a hard beast to tame, but soo worth the effort.
Thank you for your amassing posting which is so enlightened. I want to learn more about how to control my mind. I have come to this self-realization that I can and must be in charge of my 2-year-old brain and not the other way around. I must explain what I mean by “2-year-old brain". I do not mean to demean the power of the mind, rather to understand the simple way "brain" interacts with our 5 five senses. The communication between brain and the 5 senses is simplistic. Therefor the brain will believe what it is told and act accordingly. "2-year-old", means the brain does not know the difference between "reality” and "fiction”. So, when you laugh, the brain does not know why and acts without knowing whether you are really happy or pretending to be happy. The "2-year-old" sees laughter and excretes feel good factor chemicals. This is a key realization that we can learn and use it to manipulate our brain in a positive way. we can develop “scientific hypnosis techniques" to create positive effects in our lives. For example, when a negative idea comes to your mind replace it with a positive one. Practice this and it will become second nature for you. Develop techniques that work for you: Tell yourself a joke, read some jokes, do whatever it takes to make you replace the negative thought and replace it with what makes you laugh instead. I am no expert. I am just sighting an example I can think of.
If you see any merit in what I have written, please post information as to how to ensure my brain is "my best friend and tool and not my worst enemy and master". With much gratitude. jj matthias
If you have any specific feedback to provide or if there’s other topics you think would be more valuable to write about, don’t hesitate to let me know. 🙏
Thank you for another thought provoking post Jen. The Charles P. Steinmetz quote is very prescient as it seems most of the problems of the world stem from a spiritual dis-ease.
The simulation hypothesis is a variant of methodological skepticism, some examples of which are Descartes 'Meditations on First Philosophy' and Hilary Putnam's investigation of the issue in his book 'Reason, Truth and History' using a thought experiment in which an evil genius is tricking us into not realizing we are brains in vats. This thought experiment was the plot inspiration for the film 'The Matrix'.
As an avid reader of many things that discuss the metaphysical realm, I must say, I am fascinated by it. It started with reading about Edgar Cayce (granted most of his work was debunked) but it did set in motion a desire to learn more. The more I learn on it, the more questions I ask. Maybe that's the point of it, to always pursue more knowledge and become more self aware.
My brain is about to explode. Thank you for not dumbing down critical information and assuming we're adults with well-built meta-cognitive abilities; you've given me a lot to think about it today.
Very interesting. Steinmetz's comment that people were only playing with the spiritual force rather than studying it begs the question, How might one study this force? From my understanding, science uses measurement, manipulation and control to run experiments, and these approaches don't work in the spiritual realm. Surely spiritual forces can only be observed and experienced, not produced at will? While I agree that the world has prioritised the study of physical forces over spiritual forces, I think that this has to do with the fact that the former offer a route to power and profit, whereas the latter offer a route to compassion and mutual care. What we've seen is, therefore, a manifestation of the impulse to value strength over gentleness and drama over peace. The emerging shift away from religion towards personal encounters with the spiritual realm will result in more and more testimonies of transformation, and it is these, not laboratory experiments, that will yield the changes that Steinmetz foresaw.
I love your perspective here and completely agree. We don’t understand how to study the metaphysical, and I don’t think we will ever be able to on behalf of all of humanity. We need to individually seek out spiritual guidance and compassionately encourage each other to do the same.
There is a way, or several ways to study spiritual forces with a scientific method-like approach. Ceremonial magicians have been doing just that for 100s to thousands of years.
I guess you make a good point. I hadn't thought of methods outside the use of laboratory equipment. In a sense, psychology also uses scientific methods when it studies altered states of consciousness
Good point on psychology, the internal spirit is important to study also, likely one of the most important if one is to "know thyself."
Way to go asking the BIGGEST question and proposing the biggest theories Jen! I am thrilled to be alive at a time in history when science is starting to ask probing questions that previously were thought to be either crazy or out of the realm of scientific investigation.
Thank you so much, Donna! I agree, it’s such a great time to be alive 🤍
Autobiography of a Yogi is one of my favorite books of all time! I love that spiritual "meta" made it's way into your letter today. Thank you Jen! <3
Autobiography of Yogi IS one of the best books of all time!!
Yes! 🙌🏽
Ah! Me too! I’m hankering to read it again this year 🤗
I love all these topics and enjoy the way you’ve weaved them together!
I believe we can discover more beyond the mind. What I’ve found is the first step towards expanding awareness into the beyond is through meditation. Once you get past the noise of the mind and the processing of thoughts, you tap into something BIGGER that completely shatters your old concept of reality.
I touched on this a bit in a post: https://poetx.substack.com/p/mindfulness-the-gateway-to-everything
I love this, Jeremy. As someone who’s been trying to cultivate a meditation practice, I appreciate you sharing this 🙏
It’s challenging at first but once you pick up momentum, it feels so great that you’ll be excited for it. You’ve got this, Jen! 😁💪
Thank you 🙏
I have to really wrestle with Meta cognition over the last 18 months, coming to terms with the fact that I was not as "in control" of my mind as I believed. she's a hard beast to tame, but soo worth the effort.
The human condition! The first step towards mastery is recognizing our weak spots, and you clearly have an idea of where/what you need to work on 🙏
Thanks Jen, informative and interesting!
Thank you so much, James! I appreciate you taking the time to read 🤗
Blown my mind again! I need to read more about these ideas. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you so much for reading and for your lovely comment, Joelle!
I love that last quote by Charles Steinmetz.
Very hopeful reflection.
Thanks so much, Victoria!
I am biased (it's my wife's podcast), but here is a good, recent episode which explores pioneering scientific research in the realm of mysticism:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/john-chavez-dmt-mystical-human-potential/id1663278496?i=1000644723207
I look forward to checking it out when I go on a walk with my dog later today 🤗
Thanks!
Other fun starts: metaphor, metafiction, metaethics, metamaterial, metalogic
Full list: https://www.morewords.com/search?q=meta*
Thank you, George! I thought about using other words/ideas but didn’t know where to start. I appreciate you!
Thank you for your amassing posting which is so enlightened. I want to learn more about how to control my mind. I have come to this self-realization that I can and must be in charge of my 2-year-old brain and not the other way around. I must explain what I mean by “2-year-old brain". I do not mean to demean the power of the mind, rather to understand the simple way "brain" interacts with our 5 five senses. The communication between brain and the 5 senses is simplistic. Therefor the brain will believe what it is told and act accordingly. "2-year-old", means the brain does not know the difference between "reality” and "fiction”. So, when you laugh, the brain does not know why and acts without knowing whether you are really happy or pretending to be happy. The "2-year-old" sees laughter and excretes feel good factor chemicals. This is a key realization that we can learn and use it to manipulate our brain in a positive way. we can develop “scientific hypnosis techniques" to create positive effects in our lives. For example, when a negative idea comes to your mind replace it with a positive one. Practice this and it will become second nature for you. Develop techniques that work for you: Tell yourself a joke, read some jokes, do whatever it takes to make you replace the negative thought and replace it with what makes you laugh instead. I am no expert. I am just sighting an example I can think of.
If you see any merit in what I have written, please post information as to how to ensure my brain is "my best friend and tool and not my worst enemy and master". With much gratitude. jj matthias
JJ - this is so thoughtful. Thank you for sharing your ideas on the 2-year-old.
Your description reminds me of Don Quixote, who was unable to distinguish reality from fiction. We all that part within us
This reads like a bunch of AI-generated nonsense.
Oh no, I’m sorry it didn’t resonate with you.
If you have any specific feedback to provide or if there’s other topics you think would be more valuable to write about, don’t hesitate to let me know. 🙏
The best I can do on short notice with limited thought:
Brain blockers,
the tiny, calcified neurons
that interrupt clear thinking
sinking cynics
to drown
in their own
miasmic waters.
Truth dissolves
those crusts
in our own
minds
encouraging us to
discard inconsequential
commenters. rKf
Whoa. You’re a true artist, rKf.
Thank you for another thought provoking post Jen. The Charles P. Steinmetz quote is very prescient as it seems most of the problems of the world stem from a spiritual dis-ease.
The simulation hypothesis is a variant of methodological skepticism, some examples of which are Descartes 'Meditations on First Philosophy' and Hilary Putnam's investigation of the issue in his book 'Reason, Truth and History' using a thought experiment in which an evil genius is tricking us into not realizing we are brains in vats. This thought experiment was the plot inspiration for the film 'The Matrix'.
As an avid reader of many things that discuss the metaphysical realm, I must say, I am fascinated by it. It started with reading about Edgar Cayce (granted most of his work was debunked) but it did set in motion a desire to learn more. The more I learn on it, the more questions I ask. Maybe that's the point of it, to always pursue more knowledge and become more self aware.
My brain is about to explode. Thank you for not dumbing down critical information and assuming we're adults with well-built meta-cognitive abilities; you've given me a lot to think about it today.