Being Human: The Nature Of Spiritual Experience

E-Book Overview

Who is right about what it means to be human? The Greeks envisioned an ideal humanity. Their ethereal sculptures depict a transcendent, spiritual model. But today many scientists view human beings as mere machines. And some believe we will be able to make machines with human-like intelligence in the near future. The biblical view of humanity is different from both of these. For the writers of Scripture, to be human is to be in the image of God. Guided by this view, Ranald Macaulay and Jerram Barrs discuss the nature of spiritual experience. As the pursuit of true spirituality takes us away from sinfulness, it moves us closer to what God intended us to be. When we are truly spiritual, we are fully human. Macauley and Barrs begin by stressing the centrality of Christ. Then they distinguish between self and the sinfulness of self, argue for using our minds in spiritual matters, and illuminate the many ways God guides us. Their chapter on the family discusses the vexed issue of authority. And they conclude with a look at the evidence, judgment, hope, joy and reward of faith. In short, this book, now back in print due to ongoing demand, presents an integrated model for what human beings really are.

E-Book Content

Being Human An Entheological Guide to God, Evolution and the Fractal Energetic Nature of Reality Martin W. Ball, Ph.D. Being Human: An Entheological Guide to God, Evolution, and the Fractal Energetic Nature of Reality Martin W. Ball, Ph.D. All contents, © 2009, Martin W. Ball/Kyandara Publishing ISBN: 978-0-615-32803-4 Permission to reproduce any part of this book must be sought directly from the publisher in writing. Contact: [email protected] Disclaimer: This book is intended for educational and philosophical purposes. The author does not encourage, endorse, or support illegal or dangerous behavior of any kind and readers assume full responsibility for their choices and actions. Table of Contents: Introduction Congratulations! – 1 The Radical Non-Dualism of the Entheological Paradigm – 2 Part 1, The Nature of Reality You Who are You? – 5 Who or What is God? – 6 The Problem – 6 The Incomplete Perspective of Science – 7 The Fantasy-laden Perspectives of Religions – 9 Resolution – 10 God and Evolution God – 12 Radial Geometry and Inorganic Evolution – 15 The Geometry of Early Organic Evolution – 17 The Geometry of Higher Evolutionary Forms – 19 Mammalian Evolution and Dimethyltryptamine – 20 Human Evolution and the Ego – 21 Ego Formation in Children – 23 God’s Signature in Fractal Anatomy – 24 What is God Doing? – 25 Part II, Living in Reality Life as an Individual Understanding Your Vehicle – 29 Actual Energy vs. Imaginary “Subtle” Energy – 34 Life and Death – 35 How to Begin Waking Up – 38 Taking Stock – 40 Exercises – 41 The Mirror – 44 The Preliminaries of Practice – 45 Meditation – 45 Getting in Touch with Your Body and Energy – 46 Vocalizing – 47 Bodywork – 47 Self-Expression – 48 The Open Heart – 48 Spending Time in Nature – 49 Part III, Opening to Energy with Entheogens Entheogenic Practice Working with the Medicines – 52 Are Entheogens really the most effective tool for Awakening? – 53 Cautions – 55 Things to be Aware of – 57 Attachment to Story – 57 The Dangers of Shamanism – 58 Fear of Losing Control – 59 Engaging with Others – 60 Set and Setting – 60 Secure and Free from Distractions – 60 The Sitter – 61 Ritual – 62 Prayer – 62 Setting Intention – 63 Understanding Your Personal Interface – 63 Interfacing with the Divine The Divine Imagination – 67 Archetypal Energies and Fundamental Geometry – 68 From Possibilities to Actualities – 70 Infinity Spectrums – 72 Salvia Divinorum – 73 Psilocybin Mushrooms – 74 Ayahuasca and its An
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