The ability to distinguish between universals and the absolute, between a relative actuality and an absolute reality, is surely a leap in the development of human consciousness, a consciousness which is confined within an intellectual existence where everything is relative. There are multiple relative actualities but only one absolute reality, which absolute can exist only once within the universe, if it exists at all, and where it can only be an object of faith.
Existence, the sensually apprehended and intellectually conceived four dimensional space/time continuum, can be defined as a physical universe of relativity while the true vacuum of the absolute void into which this universe is expanding is a spiritually transcendent presence that cannot be sensually apprehended or intellectually known. The human conception of the relative universe of existence is striving to expand into the absolute presence of being, in order to comprehend an ultimate reality in an intellectual, unified theory and become absolute, the finite desiring to become infinite, the temporal to become eternal. This, of course, can never be achieved.
Reality is transcendent to every actuality, as the absolute is transcendent to existence. Reality is spiritual, encompassing the void and the physical universe within the void. The universe is a universe of relativity in which the only presence of the absolute is the presence of the void at the center of each living being. Within the relative actualities there can be no absolutes. These relative actualities are limited by the boundaries of rational thought, and it is precisely faith that introduces the absolute into the actual universe, not as idea but as transcendent reality. Faith instructs us that there is a reality beyond the actuality of intellectual existence. This reality is transcendent and absolute while existence is intellectual and relative.
Upon entering the world the soul of the human being is innocent and the relationship of this innocent soul with the world is one of of immediacy. Everything appears good and absolute, indeed, is good and absolute to the innocent soul. Confined in time and space, the soul eventually makes contact with the negative in existence, the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and reflecting from this negative the soul loses immediacy and innocence and now, in the reflective relationship with the world of relativity is tempted by the negative and becomes guilty. In order to regain lost innocence the soul must discover the presence of absolute good within the world of relativity and reflect once more to discover the redemptive power of this absolute good. With faith in this power the soul can rediscover its innocent relationship with the world, free from the illusory power of the negative. Only the paradoxical presence of the absolute within the world of relativity can trigger this double reflection, the necessary precursor to faith.
Is an authentic human life possible without peace? Since such a life must express the reality of our absolute being within the relative actualities of existence peace would seem to be an absolute necessity, as would be all other absolute attributes, freedom, justice, joy, love. Of course, these can also be relative attributes within the actualities of our existence but in the reality of our being they must be absolute. In the actuality of existence they are possible but in the reality of our being they are necessary. The actualities in which we exist are now discovered to be unacceptable to our true being. Each human being must therefore make an existential movement of consciousness out of the actuality of his or her existence into the necessarily transcendent reality of absolute being, a step of faith.
►Life did not come into being. It did not become. It simply is, and always has been. It neither came into being, nor can it cease from being. It is eternal and forever. Let life on earth therefore be a preparation for eternal life. Let death be considered a delusion of the fallen intellect, fallen, that is, from subjective contemplation of the absolute and eternal principles into objective reflection on the relativity of existence, the realm ruled by death.
" Serious mind, serious life" 