Now. The universe will begin yesterday. The universe began tomorrow. Both of these statements are quite meaningless. The tenses are wrong, and perhaps your time sense is completely outraged. Yet the statement: “The universe began in some distant past,” is, in basic terms, just as meaningless.

In fact, the first two statements, while making no logical sense, do indeed hint of phenomena that show time itself to be no more than a creative construct. Time and space are in a fashion part of the furniture of your universe.

The very experience of passing moments belongs to your psychological rooms in the same way that clocks are attached to your walls. Whenever science or religion seeks the origin of the universe, they search for it in the past. The universe is being created now . Creation occurs in each moment, in your terms. The illusion of time itself is being created now. It is therefore somewhat futile to look for the origins of the universe by using a time scheme that is in itself, at the very least, highly relative.

Your now, or present moment, is a psychological (existing only in the mind) platform. It seems that the universe began with an initial burst of energy of some kind (the “big bang”). Evolutionists cannot account for its cause. Many religious people believe that a god exists in a larger dimension of reality, and that he created the universe while being himself outside of it. He set it into motion. Many individuals, following either persuasion, believe that regardless of its source, the [universe]1 must run out of energy. Established science is quite certain that no energy can now be created or destroyed, but only transformed (as stated in the first law of thermodynamics). Science sees energy and matter as being basically the same thing, appearing differently under varying circumstances.

In certain terms, science and religion are both dealing with the idea of an objectively created universe. Either God “made it,” or physical matter, in some unexplained manner, was formed after an initial explosion of energy, and consciousness emerged from that initially dead matter in a way yet to be explained.

Instead, consciousness formed matter. As I have said before, each atom and molecule has its own consciousness. Consciousness and matter and energy are one, but consciousness initiates the transformation of energy into matter. In those terms, the “beginning” of your universe was a triumph in the expansion of consciousness, as it learned to translate itself into physical form. The universe emerged into actuality in the same way , but to a different degree, that any idea emerges from what you think of as subjectivity into physical expression.

The consciousness of each reader of this book existed before the universe was formed (in your terms) but that consciousness was unmanifest. Your closest approximation —and it is an approximation only—of the state of being that existed before the universe was formed is the dream state. In that state before the beginning, your consciousness existed free of space and time, aware of immense probabilities. This is extremely difficult to verbalize, yet it is very important that such an attempt be made. Your consciousness is a part of an infinitely original creative process. I will purposely avoid using the word “God” because of the connotations placed upon it by conventional religion. I will make an attempt to explain the characteristics of this divine process throughout this book. I call the process “All That Is.”  All That Is is so much a part of its creations that it is almost impossible to separate the “creator” from the “creations,” for each creation also carries indelibly within it the characteristics of its source.

If you have thought that the universe followed a mechanistic model, then you would have to say that each portion of this “cosmic machine” created itself, knowing its position in the entire “future construction.”

You would have to say further that each portion came gladly out of its own source individually, neatly tailored to its position, while at the same time that individual source was also as intimately the source of each other individual portion.

I am not saying that the universe is the result of some “psychological machine,” either, but that each portion of consciousness is a part of All That Is, and …… the universe falls together in a spontaneous, divine order and …… each portion of consciousness carries within it indelibly the knowledge of the whole. The birth of the world represented a divine psychological awakening.

Each consciousness that takes a part in the physical universe dreamed of such a physical existence, in your terms, before the earth was formed. In greater terms than yours, it is quite true to say that the universe is not formed yet, or that the universe has vanished. In still vaster terms, however, the fact is that in one state or another the universe has always existed.

Your closest approximation of the purpose of the universe can be found in those loving emotions that you have toward the development of your children, in your intent to have them develop their fullest capacities.

Your finest aspirations can give you some dim clue as to the great creative thrust that is behind your own smallest act, for your own smallest act is possible only because your body has already been provided for in the physical world. Your life is given. In each moment it is renewed. So smoothly and effortlessly do you ride that thrust of life’s energy that you are sometimes scarcely aware of it.  You are not equipped with a certain amount of energy that then wears out and dies. Instead you are, again, newly created in each moment.

That is enough for now. End of session, and a fond good evening.

love from all in worcestershire

Millions of people who take a daily dose of aspirin in the hope of preventing a heart attack or stroke are at risk doing themselves more harm than good, researchers have warned.

Nicotine patches no better than will power to quit smoking
Nicotine patches may not help smokers to stub out the habit, according to a new study.

The above are todays latest examples of the partly formulated and prematurely published crackpot, and potentially harmful, ideas referred to in my last blog.

Giving people nicotine patches to help them quit the nicotine addiction always did seem crazy to me.  Like saying to a heroin user trying to give up  - “You want to quit? Well instead of sniffing the stuff inject it instead”.  A crazy idea.

The appalling thing is that both of these partly formulated and prematurely published and now discredited crackpot ideas are officially approved and have been launched at vast public expense and will no doubt continue to be put into practice despite the latest findings and the potential risk to, and disillusionment of, their victims.

To change the subject, and on a lighter note, the first signs of Spring are now evident here in Cumbria.  I saw my first wild snowdrop of the year yesterday, the gorse bushes are radiant with their yellow flowers, the early flowering bushes are well budded, the birds are beginning to sing and pair up again and strings of geese are migrating North. Also, believe it or not, the days are getting longer - by just a minute or two each day at present - although it is still pitch black at 0700 hrs up here at present. Everything is looking good!

And I had a lovely experience yesterday.  As I walked on the beach a man and his dog appeared about five hundred metres or so ahead, walking towards me. The man was throwing a ball for his dog. When the dog spotted me it bounced along the beach as if to greet an old friend and on reaching me dropped the ball at my feet and looked up expectantly as if to say, “Do you want to play?” So I picked it up and threw it as far as I could whereupon the dog ran and retrieved it and brought it back and once again dropped it at my feet to be thrown.  I repeated the throwing again and again until the man himself arrived when the dog left me once more and continued his walk with his owner. It fair made my day.

The advantage of science is that when a scientist has an idea, perhaps a seemingly crackpot idea, it is tested to see whether it is in fact demonstrably true. If so it is publicised - if not it is discarded.  The trouble with so many “discoveries” today is that they are publicised to millions of people as facts whilst  still at the unproven - and often crackpot - stage from which they never recover. 

Well, nothing seems to have changed. Ted is still having a moan about something even though it is 2012! Sorry about that.  But, hey, do you want to know something - in another thirty days I will have reached the ripe old age of 78 years. I can’t believe it. I certainly don’t feel old and I continue to enjoy perfect health and when I shave each morning the face I see in the mirror doesn’t look any different (just as handsome as ever!!!). So I am looking forward to 2012 and all the new things which it will bring - lets get at it. And a happy and prosperous new year to every one of us.

And we are going out just as we came in. I read today

“Brazil overtakes UK in world economic league

UK Taxpayers are funding aid to Brazil even though it has become richer than Britain, Whitehall officials admitted yesterday”. Magic!!!!!!

I calculated the other day that, like every other lower rate (so called) tax payer in this country I, by PAYE and VAT and fuel duty, am paying around 40% of my pension to the Government in taxation. As a pensioner I could certainly do with that money myself to help pay rising energy and food bills. To know that it is being shovelled into the coffers of nations richer than ourselves - as well as countless poor nations, not to mention into the pockets of the hordes of benefit seeking immigrants who flood our shores daily - well, God bless them all.  May I live long so that they can continue to enjoy it!

And of course that is what the media tells us so often - we are all living a lot longer.  My neighbour four doors away doesn’t believe them - he just died at 46 years of age.  Definitely not one of the “all” . And I believe that living a lot longer is not a good thing anyway. Nobody improves as they get older, let alone old - it is a downward thing with no recovery - not to be longed for at all. To go out with a full head of steam after a satisfying life is much to be desired. My dream is to have a massive fatal heart attack half way up Black Coombe. I may not have made it to the top, but what a way to go. The soft grass, the smell of the bracken and the tinkling of the stream. A delightful place from which to slip into the next dimension and all that waits there. Can hardly wait. And for me that “next dimension” is real.  I have spent the last five tears researching the non-religious evidence for and against its existence.  There is a mass of evidence for it - and none against it!  If you don’t believe me have a look yourself .

Whether you do or not, have a wonderful 2012. And as the song says, Remember if you are down and out - the only way is up! Hey!

I found this picture among my old photographs. Taken by me of the beautiful worcestershire countryside. As you all probably know I am an agnostic, but when you come across a scene such as this, (as I do frequently) it tends to get one wondering.

I wish you Ted and all the family a very happy Christmas and (the government permitting)  a prosperous new year.

love to you all and may your God be with you

Richard

Christmas greetings and best wishes

to all the family from Ted and Grace and

a happy and prosperous New Year to all.

Stores ‘ashamed’ to sell religious cards… but obscene ones litter the High Street.

They (the stores) claimed a creeping ‘multicultural indoctrination’ had led to an aversion to Christianity, and that shops were worried about stocking cards that might offend other faiths.

Of 6,576 cards sold individually, just 36 – 0.5 per cent – featured scenes such as Jesus in a manger or angels.

Multi-packs fared little better, with only 5 per cent of 1,337 on sale at the stores visited containing at least one card that reflected the season’s Christian message.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ.  It belongs to Christians, and is celebrated by Christians.

Commercial “Christmas cards” are an industry driven way of exploiting the Christian celebration for commercial reasons.  The cards popularly on sale today therefore probably reflect the political-correctness-indoctrinated and largely Christianity-indifferent  character of the society within which our Christian celebration takes place. Christians can always choose not to buy them.

Perhaps we should instead purchase a pack of card blanks (mine were ten for 99p from Works) and take the time to write a personal Christmas greeting to Christian friends, perhaps including a suitable Christmas verse such as the very appropriate  -

Unto you is born this day a Saviour who is Christ the Lord.

I receive shop-bought cards from Christian and non-Christian friends as does everyone else and, though often bright and beautiful, they are discarded when Christmas is over.  But unprofessional hand-produced Christmas cards  bearing personal greetings from friends and, especially grandchildren, are special  and are never thrown away because they are an expression of the person’s thoughts which gave birth to the words. And for me Christmas greetings are the personal thoughts expressed  - not the illustrations and glitter commercially produced.

Regarding the excuse made of an indoctrinated  “aversion to Christianity”, didn’t someone say, And you shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake? It isn’t that bad yet so we shouldn’t complain.

Incidentally, regarding the excuse that the portrayal of the Nativity Scene might cause offence to other faiths, and disregarding the fact that not portraying the Nativity scene might cause offence to Christians, some years ago I spent a happy holiday in Tunisia.  The towns were well populated with mosques and minarets from which the moslem call to prayer daily reverberated greatly amplified by multiple loudspeakers.  The holiday was in December and coincided with their feast of Ramadan which fell in December that year.  Despite this, because we were guests from a “Christian” country the foyer of our Tunisian hotel was festooned with streamers and baubles, and an enormous Christmas crib was erected there - populated with an array of gingerbread men instead of nativity figures,

And these are supposed to be the people to whom we cause offence when celebrating Christmas in our own “Christian” land.  Poppycock!

During the World War II victories of Nazi Germany in 1940, Wilhelm II stated that: “The hand of God is creating a new world & working miracles…. We are becoming the United States of Europe under German leadership, a united European Continent.”

From the Telegraph.

The German Chancellor made it clear that eurozone states would be called upon to relinquish economic sovereignty and be subjected to close central supervision – a pre-requisite for the eurozone to secure vital extra financial help.

There is undoubted evidence  for re-incarnation.

Imagine the scene - “Well Adolf, you made a right pigs-ear of that.  Now get back down there and do it again - peacefully this time!”

Perhaps the 1940 prediction of Wilhelm II is finally being fulfilled?

Hundreds more young black men are in prison than attending the country’s leading universities, the Deputy Prime Minister will warn today, as he issues a fresh call to end racial discrimination.

The Liberal Democrat leader will indicate that positive discrimination is operating in the public sector, saying that men from ethnic minorities now earn more than their white counterparts.

What on earth is Clegg implying in the first paragraph - that young black men who apply for entry to a top University are through racial prejudice sent to prison instead - or that the correct thing for a young black person who commits a crime worthy of prison is for positive discrimination to entitle him to be enrolled at a top University instead?

In the second paragraph, according to confused Clegg,  Government sponsored racial discrimination is apparently quite legal and above board if it is in favour of a member of an ethnic minority.  He doesn’t seem to appreciate that racial discrimination in favour of the ethnic minority is illegal racial discrimination against the entire ethnic majority. 

I find it quite frightening that any member of the British Government is allowed to hold and publicly expound such ill-considered maverick, contradictory and bigoted views and get away with it.