Roman Lowery

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The Divine


Understanding the Divine as Metaphysical Reality

The divine is metaphysical reality, the universal spirit that animates the universe. Often, the word "divine" is used to reference a separate God, as in a specific personality within the Judeo-Christian-Islamic worldview. Here, however, the word “divine” means metaphysical reality, which is completely connected with the material universe and, in fact, manifests the material universe in every moment. Similarly, by "god," which literally means "divine power," we mean the metaphysical reality of the universe, not a separate personality. The universal spirit is not one distinct personality but contains every personality, and therefore, every personality is an expression of the universal spirit.

The term “metaphysical” refers to that which is behind the physical, forming and animating it. The divine, God, gods, and similar terminology properly refer only to the metaphysical and not to something "else," some "other," "higher," "outside," or "beyond." Metaphysical reality is the here and now, the source of all form and being. It cannot be something else, other, or outside the universe; rather, it is something inside, behind, deep within, and eternally present. It exists within the infinite totality of our reality.

The idea of a separation between the divine and the physical, where the divine is something "other" or outside our reality, stems entirely from the Judeo-Christian-Islamic worldview, more easily called the Abrahamic worldview. All Abrahamic religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and their derivatives, view the divine as something other, as a specific personality outside of the universe. This is a misconception. Any limitation placed on the idea of God immediately negates the idea of God. Creating a specific personality for God implies creating a form, which can only reference a physical reality and not the entirety of metaphysical reality, which is reality itself. When adherents of these religions seek God, they are actually seeking metaphysical reality, which cannot be separate from us or outside of us but is within us and forms us as the foundation of reality itself.

The universe comprises physical reality and metaphysical reality, the finite and the infinite, both being inseparable and forming a complete totality. In other words, there is no separation between God and the universe. This is the major error of the Abrahamic religions.

Imagine the totality of reality as a living ball of clay. This living ball of clay is fully aware, sentient, conscious, free, and infinite. This ball of clay wills itself to be and wills whatever it pleases. It is will itself, and it is also all that there is. There is nothing outside of the ball of clay, only more clay. This ball of clay wills to create out of love, which is one aspect of itself, and joyfully begins to mold itself into all kinds of different shapes, within itself, as there is nothing outside itself. The different forms, made of the clay and imbued with will, move about and act on their own, each form becoming its own being according to the will of the clay. While having its own being, each form is made of the same clay as everything else. Each shape the clay makes is equally made of clay as every other shape, although each shape, depending on its form, has its own unique abilities and way of existing.

Metaphysical literally means "behind the physical." It is the source and substance of our reality. Physical reality is composed of interconnected forms that emerge, subsist, and finally return to the metaphysical source. Each form is a manifestation of the metaphysical and cannot be separated from it. The metaphysical is eternal. Our reality is formed by the metaphysical, and thus we are not separate from it at any moment.

By recognizing the metaphysical as the true essence of the divine, we can move beyond the limitations of materialism and dualism. We can understand that the divine is inherently part of the physical universe, not separate from it. This holistic view allows us to see ourselves as integral parts of a vast, interconnected whole, leading to a deeper sense of purpose and connection with the universe. This understanding can bring a profound sense of peace and empowerment, as we realize our place within the eternal and infinite reality.


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