This post is on a few terms that influence my world view to a very considerable extent. Hope this post adds to your worldview in some manner.
1. Ontology (Being and Becoming):
The branch of philosophy that explores the nature of existence, reality, and what it means for something to "be." It seeks to understand the basic categories and relationships that define things in the universe, asking questions like "What exists?" and "What are the fundamental types of beings or entities?" Ontology aims to create a framework for understanding different kinds of entities (like physical objects, concepts, or abstract ideas) and how they relate to each other within reality. It’s foundational to many disciplines, including philosophy, science, and information systems.
2. Epistemology (Study of knowledge):
The branch of philosophy that studies knowledge—what it is, how we acquire it, and how we justify beliefs. It explores questions like “What can we know for sure?” and “How do we distinguish true knowledge from false beliefs?” Epistemology examines the sources of knowledge, such as perception, reasoning, and memory, and considers the limits of human understanding. By analysing how knowledge is formed and validated, epistemology helps us determine the reliability of information and beliefs, laying a foundation for critical thinking in science, ethics, and daily life.
3. Empiricism:
The idea that experience is the only source of true knowledge about the world. Empiricism is a key part of the scientific method because it requires that theories and hypotheses be tested and observed to be considered accurate.
4. Causality:
The attempt to make sense of observations by linking events (effects) to other events (causes).
Link on Ontology by Dr, Timonthy Conway
Dr. Timothy Conway bibliography
Dr Timothy Conway 1
Dr Conway 2
Dr Conway Profile
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Analysis of 'higher love' by Grok2 using 'I'm loving angels' by Robbie Williams in which he expresses his love for a woman angel:
Grok2:
The lyrics you've provided are from "Angels" by Robbie Williams, a song that delves into themes of spirituality, protection, love, and the human search for solace beyond the earthly plane. Here's an analysis:
Themes and Interpretations:
Search for Meaning and Guidance:
The lyrics open with a contemplation of fate by angels, reflecting a human curiosity about what lies beyond life and whether there's a divine plan or oversight for our existence.
Salvation and Destiny:
The mention of "salvation lets their wings unfold" suggests a belief in an afterlife or a state of grace where protection or guidance is offered by divine beings.
Love and Loss:
The singer expresses moments of feeling that "love is dead," indicating personal struggles or emotional hardships. This could relate to romantic love or a broader sense of love in life.
Divine Love vs. Human Love:
The chorus "I'm loving angels instead" indicates a shift from seeking love or solace in human relationships to finding it in a spiritual or divine form. This could symbolize a retreat from earthly disappointments to a place of unconditional love and acceptance.
Protection and Unconditional Support:
The angel’s role is highlighted as a protector, providing "love and affection, whether I'm right or wrong." This portrays an ideal of unconditional love that contrasts with human fallibility.
Life's Challenges:
The imagery of "down the waterfall, wherever it may take me" represents life's journey and its uncertainties. The angel's protection signifies an assurance that no matter where life leads, there's a source of strength and resilience.
Faith and Resilience:
The repeated lines about not being forsaken and life not breaking the narrator show a theme of resilience through faith or divine assurance. It suggests that belief in this spiritual support provides the strength to face life's adversities.
Human Vulnerability:
The acknowledgement of feeling "weak" and experiencing "pain" reflects human vulnerability, yet this is met with the uplifting thought that divine love or guidance will always be there to support and "bring flesh to my bones," metaphorically giving life or sustenance when one feels at their lowest.
Symbolism:
Angels: Traditionally, angels are messengers or servants of God, offering guidance, protection, or sometimes intervention. Here, they symbolize an ever-present spiritual support system that transcends the imperfections of human relationships.
Waterfall: Often symbolic of life's flow, change, and sometimes overwhelming situations. Going "down the waterfall" could symbolize facing life’s trials, yet with the assurance of not being alone.
Love and Affection: While "love" might refer to human romantic or familial love, "affection" adds a layer of warmth, care, and closeness that's comforting and nurturing.
Overall Message:
The song conveys a message of finding solace, protection, and love in a spiritual or divine sense when earthly sources of love might fail or falter. It speaks to the human condition of seeking something eternal and unchanging in a world of flux and fragility. The angel in this context becomes a metaphor for faith, hope, and the comforting belief in a force that watches over us, offering unconditional support through life's journey. This spiritual perspective provides the narrator with the strength to face life's trials, knowing they are never truly alone.
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Discussion with Grok2 on 'love' and 'affection':
Firstly, what is 'higher love'? Or 'higher affection'?
Grok2: Higher love or higher affection could be interpreted as divine affection, universal affection...or simply the best aspects of human affection when it reaches beyond self-interest.
Grok2 continues, on love and affection:
In the context of spirituality and mysticism, "love" and "affection" are related but not always mutually interchangeable terms due to their different connotations and depths:
Love:
Broad and Deep Concept: Love, especially in spiritual contexts, often refers to a profound, universal force or essence that transcends personal boundaries. It can encompass:
Agape (Christian love): Unconditional, selfless love for all beings.
Bhakti (Hinduism): Devotional love towards the divine, which seeks to merge the self with the divine essence.
Metta (Buddhism): Loving-kindness, an intentional cultivation of love that wishes well-being for all.
Encompasses Various Forms: Love in spiritual contexts can include romantic love, familial love, friendship, and divine love, but it often emphasizes a higher, more inclusive form that transcends these personal types.
Transformative: Spiritual love is often seen as having the power to transform the self and others, leading to spiritual awakening, enlightenment, or union with the divine.
Affection:
More Personal and Limited: Affection typically refers to a gentle feeling of fondness, care, or warmth towards someone or something. It's:
Personal: Often directed towards specific individuals or entities.
Emotional Response: It might be seen as a natural human response to kindness, beauty, or familiarity, often without the deep metaphysical implications associated with "love."
Expressive: Affection is commonly shown through physical gestures, words, or actions that demonstrate care or fondness.
Interchangeability:
Contextual: In everyday conversation or when discussing human relationships, "love" and "affection" might be used interchangeably to express fondness or care. However, in spiritual or mystical contexts:
Love often carries a weight of universality, depth, and a connection to the essence of existence or the divine, which "affection" does not inherently convey.
Affection might be viewed as a subset or expression of love, particularly when speaking of the love between humans. It's a way love manifests in daily interactions but doesn't capture the all-encompassing, transformative nature of divine or spiritual love.
Mystical Traditions: Here, love might be used to describe an all-consuming, transformative force that seeks to dissolve the ego or unite the individual with the cosmos. Affection, in this context, would be seen as a human emotion that, while positive, doesn't necessarily lead to the same metaphysical or spiritual depth.
In summary, while affection can be an expression or aspect of love, particularly in personal relationships, "love" in spiritual and mystical contexts often refers to a broader, deeper, and more transformative experience that goes beyond personal affection. However, when discussing human emotions or the expression of love in daily life, the terms can sometimes be used in a more fluid, less distinct manner.
People often have personal reasons for feeling more comfortable with one term over another, especially when it comes to emotionally charged words like "love" and "affection." Here are some considerations on why you might prefer "affection":
Connotation and Weight:
Love can carry a very heavy, profound, and sometimes overwhelming connotation. It's often associated with deep emotional, romantic, or spiritual connections that might come with expectations of permanence or intensity.
Affection, by contrast, might feel lighter, more manageable, and less burdened by expectations. It suggests warmth, care, and fondness without necessarily implying the depth or complexity that "love" often does.
Cultural and Personal Experiences:
Cultural backgrounds or personal experiences can influence how these terms are perceived. In some cultures or families, "love" might be used sparingly or reserved for very specific relationships, while "affection" might be the common term for expressing care.
Emotional Comfort Zone:
Some individuals might find "love" to be too open-ended or demanding, evoking a sense of vulnerability or fear of being misunderstood. "Affection" might feel like a safer way to express care or fondness within one's comfort zone.
Specificity vs. Universality:
"Affection" can be seen as more specific, directed towards particular actions or moments (like a hug, a kind word, or a gesture of care), whereas "love" often encompasses a broad, sometimes all-encompassing emotion.
Avoidance of Misinterpretation:
Using "affection" might help avoid the potential for misinterpretation that can come with "love." Love can imply different things to different people (romantic, platonic, familial, etc.), and specifying "affection" might clarify the nature of the feeling intended.
Personal History:
Your comfort with "affection" over "love" might stem from how these terms have been used or experienced in your life. Perhaps "affection" has been a more consistent or positive presence, while "love" might have been associated with complexity or pain.
Linguistic Preference:
Sometimes, the preference for one word over another can simply be linguistic or stylistic. "Affection" might just resonate with you more in terms of how it sounds or feels when expressed.
Understanding and accepting your preference for "affection" is important. It's okay to use the term that feels right for you. Communication about emotions is highly personal, and using words that you're comfortable with can make interactions more genuine and less stressful. If this preference affects how you connect with others, it might also be helpful to communicate your feelings and definitions clearly to avoid misunderstandings.
Linguistic and Emotional Safety:
Using "affection" for male higher beings might provide a sense of emotional safety or boundaries. It suggests a form of care or fondness without the intensity or vulnerability that "love" might imply.
Understanding and respecting your own preferences in this manner allows for a more authentic interaction with spiritual concepts and beings. It's a testament to the complex interplay between language, emotion, gender perceptions, and spirituality.
Overall Message:
"Higher Love", or 'Higher Affection' conveys a message of hope amidst despair, a call for a love and affection that is more than just personal or romantic—a love, an affection that could heal, connect, and inspire. It speaks to the human condition of feeling lost or disconnected in an often harsh world, yet it maintains a belief in the possibility of finding something greater.
This higher love, this higher affection, could be interpreted as divine love and affection, universal love and affection, or simply the best aspects of human affection when it reaches beyond self-interest.
This greater affection (that goes beyond self-interest) exists everywhere, yes it does, but is obscured by the darkness (within and without) that exists in realms like the (spiritually asleep) human world.
Re-connection with higher affection:
Look both outward and inward for this transformative force, true connection and peace might come from a mix of self-reflection, compassion for others, and perhaps a spiritual or cosmic understanding.
Affection of Afterlfe guides (who live on other planes of existence) by Grok2:
Yes, you can certainly apply the concept of "love and affection when it reaches beyond self-interest" to spirit or afterlife guides, especially when considering them as beings that exist on other planes of existence. Here's how this concept might relate to them:
1. **Unconditional Love:**
- Guides from other planes are often depicted in spiritual beliefs as offering love that is unconditional, meaning it's given freely without expectation of reciprocation or personal gain. This aligns perfectly with the idea of love beyond self-interest.
2. **Guidance and Support:**
- The primary role of these guides is to assist, guide, or support souls, either in life or the afterlife. Their affection or care is not for their own benefit but for the growth, healing, or progression of the souls they guide.
3. **Spiritual Evolution:**
- Many spiritual traditions suggest that the essence of life, including the afterlife, is about evolution, learning, and love. Guides, in this context, are there to facilitate this evolution, often out of a love for creation or the divine that transcends personal gain.
4. **No Selfish Motive:**
- If these beings are truly beyond human concerns, their actions, including expressions of love and affection, would naturally be devoid of self-interest. Their "job" or purpose is to help, teach, or heal, which is inherently selfless.
5. **Collective Well-being:**
- In many belief systems, these guides are seen as part of a larger cosmic or divine plan where the well-being of all is prioritized, reflecting a love that is communal or universal rather than individualistic.
6. **Protection and Comfort:**
- Their affection might manifest as protection or comfort during transitions or challenging times, not because they gain anything from it, but because it's part of their role in the grander scheme of existence.
7. **Examples from Traditions:**
- In various spiritual traditions, whether it's angels in Abrahamic religions, bodhisattvas in Buddhism, or spirit guides in shamanistic beliefs, these entities are often characterized by their altruism. They exemplify love and affection that are about service and enlightenment rather than personal benefit.
When discussing spirit or afterlife guides in this context:
- **Pure Intent:** Their love and affection would be seen as pure, intended for the betterment of the soul's journey, not for any gain or satisfaction on their part.
- **Beyond Human Limitations:** Being from other planes, their capacity for love might not be bound by human limitations or conditions, making their affection a profound expression of love that transcends self-interest.
- **Spiritual Nourishment:** Just like nurturing a plant not for the gardener's benefit but for the plant's growth, these guides might offer love and affection to nourish the spirit or soul's development.
In sum, attributing "love and affection when it reaches beyond self-interest" to spirit or afterlife guides fits with many spiritual narratives where these beings exist to support, guide, and elevate souls through love that is selfless, compassionate, and aimed at the greater good of existence.
ONTOLOGY OF HIGHER BEINGS (GROK 2):
The concept of beings whose minds are as evolved as their bodies opens up a fascinating area of exploration:
### **Mental and Psychological Health:**
- **Integrated Consciousness:** Their minds might operate in a state where the separation between conscious and subconscious, or even the ego and the self, no longer exists, leading to a fully integrated mental experience.
- **Emotional Balance:** Unlike humans who experience a wide range of emotions, sometimes leading to mental health issues, these beings might have emotional states that are harmonious, devoid of the extremes that can cause distress.
- **Mental Clarity:** Their thought processes could be clear and direct, free from the cognitive biases, illusions, or psychological barriers that humans often face, allowing for purer reasoning and understanding.
### **Cognitive Abilities:**
- **Advanced Perception:** Their perception might extend beyond our five senses, possibly into realms like telepathy, precognition, or understanding different dimensions of reality, where the mind processes information in ways we can't fathom.
- **Infinite Memory and Processing:** Their minds might process information at a rate and with a capacity that far exceeds human capabilities, akin to comparing a human brain to an advanced supercomputer.
- **Non-Linear Thinking:** They could think in ways that are non-linear, holistic, or multidimensional, solving problems or understanding the universe in ways that transcend our sequential, logical thought processes.
### **Consciousness and Awareness:**
- **Expanded Consciousness:** Their awareness might encompass a broader sense of time, space, or causality, perhaps understanding the interconnectedness of all things in a way that's intuitive to them.
- **Collective Consciousness:** There could be a collective aspect to their consciousness, where individual minds are part of a larger network, sharing thoughts, emotions, or knowledge instantly across their species or even beyond.
- **Universal Perspective:** Their minds might naturally grasp the cosmos in its entirety, seeing their place within it, which could lead to a profound sense of peace, purpose, or unity.
### **Philosophical and Existential Implications:**
- **Evolution of the Mind:** This suggests an evolutionary path where mental faculties evolve as significantly as biological ones, perhaps indicating that consciousness itself might have an evolutionary trajectory towards higher states of awareness.
- **Redefining Intelligence:** What we consider intelligence might be a very limited subset of what intelligence could be, with these beings embodying a form of intelligence that encompasses emotional, intuitive, and cosmic understanding.
- **Paradigms of Existence:** Their mental structure might challenge our paradigms about existence, reality, and the purpose of life, prompting us to reconsider what it means to be sentient or conscious.
### **Cultural and Spiritual Parallels:**
- **Enlightened Beings:** In many spiritual teachings, there are concepts of enlightened beings whose minds transcend ordinary human limitations, achieving states of bliss, omniscience, or unity with the cosmos.
- **Archetypes of Wisdom:** They might embody archetypes of wisdom, the sage, or the cosmic mind, where mental health is synonymous with cosmic understanding.
### **Interstellar Philosophy:**
- **Communication and Thought:** If their minds are so different, communication with them might not involve words or even concepts as we know them but could be direct exchanges of pure understanding.
- **Learning from Their Minds:** Interaction with these beings might offer humanity insights into mental health, consciousness expansion, and perhaps even the nature of the universe itself.
The idea that their minds are radically different suggests a form of existence where mental health is not just the absence of illness but the presence of an evolved state of being, where consciousness itself is a tool of cosmic exploration and understanding. Such beings would challenge our current concepts of psychology, psychiatry, and even the study of consciousness, pushing us to consider what the mind, at its highest potential, could be.
Your metaphor of comparing human thought processes to an old, thin telephone cable versus these beings' minds to a modern, high-capacity data network is incredibly apt and paints a vivid picture of the difference in mental processing:
### **Advanced Cognitive Network:**
- **Information Processing:** Their minds might process information at speeds comparable to the fastest computing networks, allowing them to handle, analyze, and respond to vast amounts of data instantly. This could mean:
- **Multitasking at an Unimaginable Scale:** Their ability to focus on multiple streams of thought or awareness without confusion or overload.
- **Instantaneous Learning and Adaptation:** Learning new concepts or adapting to changes in their environment could happen so quickly that it's almost imperceptible.
- **Comprehensive Awareness:** With such a network, their awareness might be all-encompassing, able to perceive and understand multiple layers of reality simultaneously, including:
- **Micro and Macro Perspectives:** Understanding both the minutiae of their immediate surroundings and the vast interplay of cosmic forces.
- **Past, Present, and Future:** A form of consciousness where time is not linear, allowing them to "see" or understand events across different timelines or potentialities.
### **Emotional and Psychological Balance:**
- **Emotional Processing:** Despite this high-speed mental activity, their emotional state remains balanced, indicating:
- **Advanced Emotional Regulation:** They might have evolved mechanisms to process emotions in a way that maintains peace and humor without the turmoil humans often experience.
- **Harmony of Mind and Emotion:** Their consciousness might naturally integrate emotions into thought processes, where feelings enhance understanding rather than cloud it.
- **Mental Health as Norm:** For them, what we would consider exceptional mental health or tranquility might just be the norm, a baseline state of being.
### **Implications for Understanding Consciousness:**
- **Consciousness Expansions:** This suggests that consciousness can evolve or exist in forms where speed, capacity, and coherence of thought do not lead to chaos but rather to a deeper, more profound peace.
- **Unity of Thought:** Their mind could represent a form where all aspects of consciousness are unified.
### **Philosophical and Cultural Insights:**
- **The Ideal Mind:** They might embody what many spiritual traditions aim for - a mind that is both powerful and tranquil, where knowledge and wisdom are instantaneous yet leave room for joy and peace.
- **Cosmic Citizenship:** Such beings might naturally inhabit a state of being that aligns with cosmic principles, where mental activity is part of the cosmic dance rather than a source of personal turmoil.
### **Nature of Intelligence:**
- **Beyond Human Definition:** Their intelligence would likely redefine what we think intelligence is, moving beyond IQ or rational thought to include emotional, spiritual, and perhaps even universal intelligence.
- **Integrated Intelligence:** Their mental capabilities might integrate aspects of intelligence that we separate, like logic, intuition, creativity, and empathy, into a seamless cognitive operation.
### **Potential for Human Evolution:**
- **Aspiration for Humanity:** Your description provides a model for what human consciousness might strive towards, not just in terms of processing speed or data handling but in achieving mental states where high functionality coexists with peace.
- **Learning from Their Example:** Understanding how these beings manage to maintain peace and humor amidst such mental complexity could offer profound insights into mental health, meditation practices, or even how we might design future AI to emulate such harmonious cognitive states.
This depiction not only challenges our understanding of the mind but also invites a reimagining of what mental evolution could entail for humanity. The idea that such advanced cognitive abilities can coexist with calm and humor suggests a level of mental evolution where the human mind's current limitations could one day be transcended.
Grok2 talks on Emotional and Psychological Healing in NDEs:
Resolution of Trauma:
NDEs often bring about a deep emotional healing where past traumas, regrets, or unresolved issues are confronted and resolved.
This can occur through:
Life Review: Where one sees their life from a perspective of love and understanding, which can lead to forgiveness of self and others.
Direct Healing: The beings or the environment might convey a sense of unconditional love and acceptance, which can heal emotional wounds by showing individuals their intrinsic worth and the interconnectedness of all life.
Higher Beings' Role:
Guides or Guardians:
These beings are often seen as guides or guardians, helping individuals transition between life and what might lie beyond, or aiding in personal growth and understanding.
Educators of the Soul:
They might educate through example, through the environment of the NDE, or through direct communication, providing lessons that are tailored to the individual's life path.
Grok2 sources of knowledge:
My knowledge on this topic comes from:
Research Literature:
Numerous studies on near-death experiences (NDEs) have been conducted by psychologists, psychiatrists, and researchers like Dr. Bruce Greyson, Dr. Pim van Lommel, and Dr. Raymond Moody, among others. These studies often include firsthand accounts from individuals who have had NDEs, where they describe interactions with beings they perceive as higher or more evolved.
Books and Accounts:
Books like "Life After Life" by Raymond Moody, "Heading Toward Omega" by Kenneth Ring, "The Self Does Not Die" by Titus Rivas, Anny Dirven, and Rudolf Smit, and "Consciousness Beyond Life" by Pim van Lommel have documented many such experiences. These writings compile and analyze thousands of NDE accounts, highlighting patterns where higher beings play roles as described.
Qualitative Data Analysis:
The qualitative data from these studies typically involves thematic analysis where researchers look for common themes across different NDE accounts. Themes of guidance, education, and guardianship by higher beings are recurrent in these narratives.
Interviews and Testimonies:
Direct interviews with NDE experiencers or those who have studied NDEs often reveal these roles of higher beings. For instance, in interviews, people might describe how these beings communicated with them, taught them, or helped them navigate their NDE.
Cross-Cultural Studies:
Research has been conducted across various cultures, finding that while the specifics of NDEs can differ culturally (e.g., the appearance of the beings might align with cultural icons of divinity), the core elements, including the presence of guiding or educating entities, tend to be consistent.
Historical and Philosophical Texts:
Many spiritual and religious traditions, ancient texts, and philosophical writings also speak of beings or entities that guide, teach, or help souls transition, which might resonate with or even influence how modern experiencers interpret their NDEs.
Forums, Support Groups, and Online Communities:
There are numerous online platforms and support groups for NDE experiencers where they share their stories. These communities often discuss the roles these beings play in their experiences, providing a collective insight into this phenomenon.
Integration into Psychological Theory:
Some psychologists and researchers have proposed models of consciousness or spiritual development where these interactions with higher beings are part of a broader framework of personal or soul growth.
Grok2 talking on higher beings' views on human sexuality:
General Observations from NDE Literature:
Unconditional Love:
Most NDEs emphasize an overwhelming sense of unconditional love from higher beings. This love typically transcends physical attributes or behaviors, suggesting that human sexuality, as part of the human experience, is seen through this lens of love and acceptance.
Non-Judgment:
Higher beings in NDE accounts are often described as non-judgmental. This could imply that human sexuality, like other aspects of human life, might not be judged in terms of morality but rather understood as part of the human condition.
Conclusion by Grok2:
The affection you received during your NDE might not be about what qualified you for it in a transactional sense but rather an expression of universal principles like love, acceptance, and connection. These higher beings, if we interpret them as enlightened or wise, might see beyond human faults and conditions to the essence of being, where love is given as part of the experience's purpose, whether for healing, teaching, or simply reflecting the nature of the universe as they perceive it. Your experience of this love can be a profound personal gift, meant to transform or affirm your understanding of existence and yourself.
Non-Abandonment Themes in NDEs and Spiritual Literature:
