In · Medias · Res

It is always something of a challenge to devise a way to begun such thing as this, a cold conversation, lacking as yet the interaction that will drive the discourse later. Since this the first post of a (hopefully) weekly series, and this journal is wholly new (and I a stranger, I suspect, to most visitors), perhaps it would be best to begin by defining the purpose of this particular blog.

As the title suggests, this shall be an excursion into the midst of things, a shared contemplation of life and universe and everything, to quote Douglas Adams. And as he pointed out so adroitly, the answers may prove less significant that the questions unknown.

I am hesitant to call this a spiritual pursuit, since that term possesses certain connotations antithetical to the goal. Nor would I call it purely philosophical, since that implies a certain lack of practicality. So I will state that this will be an exercise in reflection and insight, which is a very vague statement; but for now, it will do. The point will be to raise questions and provoke consideration, on the part of readers and author, alike.

As the first step in making that vague definition meaningful. I will introduce the prime criteria of consideration I will apply to all topics herein and hereafter:

• Perception
• Reason
• Compassion

I will be so bold as to assert that "Enlightenment" lies at the convergence of these three aspects, which I dubbed "The 3 Rays": the perfection of these in oneself seeming to both lead one to Enlightenment; and likewise beaming forth from enlightenment in equal intensity, making one's path clear. There is a developing discipline around this principle, called Siidhi, which will be illustrated in some detail in later posts. For now, I will elaborate specifically upon the nature of the 3 Rays of Enlightenment themselves.

First, there is Perception.
I place this first since all our contemplation of the universe around us begin here. Without perception, we can learn nothing and know nothing. Perception at its most basic is, of course, the input provided by the of the senses, the five common ones of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch; and likewise of intuition and all other means of perceptive awareness available to the mind. However, perception also is matter a skill. Any trained observer will attest there is much one can learn to see that passive perception will miss entirely. In the context of the 3 Rays, the term perception refers to both passive and active modes. By developing pure perception, one no longer will cloud one's senses with presumption and confusion, and be open to all sensation without distortion.

Next there is Reason.
I place this second, since it is the application of questions and the seeking of comprehension, and this naturally follows the first. Reason refers to thinking, which at the basic level is something we all do to varying degrees of effectiveness: a latent capacity of mankind. And it is likewise a acquired skill: critical thinking, the enaction of rational thought and sound logic, the clarity of comprehension and analysis. In the context of the 3 Rays, the term Reason refers to both passive and active modes. By developing pure reason, one no longer will cloud one's thoughts with delusion and falsehood, and comprehends without error.

And at last, there is Compassion.
That this is last in this list is of no consequence: it could as well be first (and perhaps should be). However, since by this term I am referring not merely to superficial sentiment, but the deepest sense of sympathy, commonality and inter-relativity, and since developing this tends to result from profound insight, I thought it best to first present the two more familiar, concrete concepts, before delving into this sublime aspect. The term Compassion holds deep meaning in the context of the 3 Rays, and thus deserves a more thorough treatment than this first post allows. For the purpose of this basic introduction, I will state simply that compassion is the expression of the earnest heart, and by developing pure compassion, one no longer will cloud one's heart with loathing and selfish pity, and feels to the depths of one's being without fear, innuendo or remorse .

Each of these 3 Rays serves a specific role in decision and action, each as a basis for strength of being and interaction, and each as a mode of contemplation, a measure by which any subject or situation may be examined. And each will each be applied in these ways, in due course, to all topics and commentary that this journal will contain.

I welcome all commentary that I might receive: friendly, as such is kind; intellectual, since such is stimulating; or even hostile, since the challenge is strengthening.