If you're just starting out your foray into the unseen world, you'll soon come across the word "Metaphysics". For some this can be a stumbling block as anything with the word Physics implies a scientific and possibly complex subject. Meta then compounds this by giving the impression that it's huge, colossal and maybe never ending. Ugh!
Strangely, Aristotle, who is credited for the creation of Metaphysics would today not recognize the word either. Nor would he be able to rattle of the variety of subjects that it now covers. So why should you?
What Aristotle did do was teach an understanding of nature and the natural world. He called this subject physics because it was based on physical things. Sounds logical so far.
He then wrote fourteen books with just four subjects; 'first philosophy’, ‘first science’, ‘wisdom’, and ‘theology’. Learning from these was only to be attempted by those who had first studied the work on his physics course. How surprising.
The term "Metaphysics" was actually created by a later publishing philosopher 100 years after the works were written. He bundled the fourteen volumes together and gave them one title. His intention was to indicate that before embarking upon the study of the unseen world, the student should first study the natural world. In ancient Greece this was much clearer because "Meta" meant "After" in their language.
Ancient Greek Plato was a teacher of Aristotle, he taught that the entire material world was but a reflection of a spiritual world. Aristotle set out to prove it with his study of the sciences that included astrology. For Plato states that each soul chooses its own life as well as its own guardian angel. He believed that each soul traveled through the cosmos and that the journey through the stars influenced birth, which influenced life and the events in it. He did believe in a higher power but always emphasized the importance of free choice regarding one’s destiny.Â
Aristotle, took the theoretical principles a step further to causal mechanics, that the planets transmitted the will of God to Earth and represented secondary causes while God was the prime mover of the Universe. Aristotle’s modifications placed Greek astrology in a favorable position with Christianity by its recognition of God was the source of free will. This was the basis for astrology which persisted until the seventeenth century.
Aristotle's teachings on the course of "after the physical" began by being centered on things that do not change or alter. The first cause of things, that simply are because they are not the result of something else. These things cannot be altered and therefore it is thinking, feeling and comprehension that needs to be adjusted. Yet if we were to study his work today, there are many teachings that are incorrect based on what we know. So great news, we don't have to be perfect either!
When you accept there are things you cannot change, you can look to those (otherwise unseen) things. There are many areas that can provide clarity and emotional freedom. Both Plato and Aristotle were always encouraging others to seek out the unexplained, spiritual, and refer to the natural world around them.
If you are seeking answers, have a feeling that there is more to life than it appears, the chances are you are right. Finding your place in the ever growing community begins with one step.
Join Mystikal Scents members and students to explore subjects that include some of the modern Metaphysical as well as the ancient ways that got everybody thinking.
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You're welcome!
Great Story, great read. Thanks Fiona, you're awesome!
Great morning read! Thank you!