The concept of g*d has existed among the human species for thousands of years. We are no stranger to knowledge of g*d. Indeed, various global religions have offered the human species different ideologies, as well as practices, to produce the knowledge of g*d. We can look to religious texts of various global traditions for knowledge of g*d that has been produced in accordance with Theology. There are methodologies within various theologies that allow for adherents to assert that they have participated in the production of their tradition’s knowledge of g*d.
A Hindu may contribute to the knowledge production surrounding the g*d Axiom by focusing their mind on their deity of choice and reading Hindu holy texts. They may also engage in practices, such as yoga or meditation, to produce knowledge of g*d.
Conversely, A Christian may engage in theological knowledge production by reading the bible, praying and attending church.
When I talk of "knowledge", I am referring to anything that can be known. When I talk of “knowledge production” I am simply referring to the process of generating ideas on the entity we are studying. When we do this in accordance with Epistemology, we can engage in “proper knowledge production.” In a previous essay, I have used the term “g*d” to describe the entity that is outside/beyond Time. This is also how I use this term in this essay. The challenge with this type of knowledge production is that we do not have any access to “that which is outside/beyond Time.” This limits our knowledge production. How can we successfully superimpose linguistic knowledge, born of theological methodologies, without any access to the entity in question? In other words, upon what are we actually imposing our theological knowledge? Without access to the entity of study, we are not applying proper knowledge production methods.
In other words, when we have theological/religious beliefs, we cannot actually superimpose our linguistic knowledge upon the entity of g*d. Our linguistic knowledge remains within Time (that which is occurring in the present moment) and the entity that we are attempting to produce knowledge upon remains beyond Time. At best, we can impose our linguistic knowledge upon Time/the present moment. As stated in a previous essay, the present moment is the only time-based phenomenon to which we have access. We are stuck in the present moment, and we have yet to produce meaningful knowledge upon Time. When we overlook Time in favor of individualized conceptions of g*d, then we are missing a powerful evolutionary opportunity.
THE BENEFITS OF INDIVIDUALIZED CONCEPTIONS OF g*d
The human species has existed for at least thousands of years. During this time, there has been little if any meaningful production of the knowledge of Time. Instead, there has been an excess of attempts to produce the knowledge of g*d. Indeed, there are numerous global religious traditions, each with their own unique theological understanding of that which is outside/beyond Time. Furthermore, various global religious traditions have promoted much good in the world through acts of service, among others.
Many of these religions are filled with well-intentioned individuals who seek to use the concept of g*d as a source of positive energy in their lives. Indeed, one of the aspects of a genuine lasting happiness is having a connection to a power greater than oneself. Oftentimes, this takes the form of an individualized g*d Axiom.
There is no shortage of human stories of spiritual individuals who have done great things, all in the name of their personal g*d Axiom. There are obvious benefits to the individual to attempt to produce the knowledge of g*d. There was once a point in my own life when I ascribed to my own g*d Axiom.
The benefits of spirituality for the human species are numerous. Spirituality can serve as a source of strength for individuals. When these individuals congregate, this strength is amplified exponentially.
Furthermore, it is understandable that individuals feel a sense of wonder, awe, and gratitude for their own lives and participation in reality. Indeed, we need only to look to nature to be filled with wonder and awe. We need only to remind ourselves of the precise circumstances that gave rise to life on Earth to feel a sense of gratitude. These feelings can help individuals to cultivate a genuine lasting happiness.
Indeed, spirituality is integral to a meaningful life. When we realize how tiny our role in reality really is, then we are humbled. We can take our gratitude, wonder, and awe and use it to “create our corner of the world into a better place.” This is how the g*d Axiom can offer us individual solutions. People have developed a strong belief system around their personal g*d Axiom and are generally unwilling to critically evaluate the larger issues that come along with such a simple individualized solution.
Sometimes when we find individual solutions, we simultaneously create collective problems. When an individual uses excessive amounts of water to tend to their garden, they have found an individual solution. Perhaps they even share the food from the garden with others. However, when everyone uses the same excessive amount of water for “their” garden, then we have water shortages which have systemic effects on our immediate communities, as well as our national and global ones, too. What could be wrong with maintaining your own garden? It is such an obvious individual solution, it takes humility and wisdom to properly question all the issues present.
If an individual does what they want and meets their needs, these benefits do not always translate to the larger population. Indeed, our current resource consumption in the United States is an ideal example. If all 7 billion humans lived like modern Americans, we would need 5 planets to sustain us. America is known as the “land of opportunity.” When these individualized opportunities are realized, it leads to collective problems. Furthermore, because we share a single planet, those collective problems will not “just go away.” Rather, we must produce knowledge of real solutions. Part of this may include lifestyle or belief changes to limit our resources consumption. This is exactly where we find resistance to wisdom.
We live in an interdependent universe. As individuals, we are dependent upon other humans to do things for us. We may have our car repaired by experts because we don’t know how. We get our food from grocery stores because we do not produce our own food. We are also dependent on other forms of life. We may consume animal products for food. We need plants to exhale oxygen so we can breathe. Individualism is a cultural paradigm, not a facet of reality. Interdependence is a facet of reality.
As we live in an interdependent universe, we have a responsibility to assess our own actions (including thoughts) and understand how they impact the interdependent universe in which we live.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A CESSATION OF KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION
When we produce knowledge without limit, we have missed a key element of knowledge production: ceasing further production of knowledge. Let us take our favorite song as an example. We can produce the song repeatedly with our modern technologies. Indeed, we can listen to the same song over and over again. However, we may notice that even our favorite song can become annoying if we listen to it excessively. In order to truly enjoy our favorite song, we must stop listening to it from time to time. Put simply, stopping knowledge production at the right time is part of successful knowledge production. Indeed, even music itself has “rest notes” in which there is a stoppage of music production.
However, the wisdom of stopping knowledge production at the right time seems to be lost on numerous members of the human species, especially religious folk. More is not always better.
CEASING THE PRODUCTION OF THE G*D AXIOM
The g*d axiom is perhaps the ideal example of individual solutions leading to collective problems. Ask any spiritual individual and they can tout the benefits of their spirituality. It is so beneficial, it seems tempting to share this benefit with others. However, this is where the collective problems begin. The problems are found in the social milieu that is created when nearly 7 billion individuals each promote the unchecked production of the knowledge of g*d. This milieu is full of hatred over petty differences; social conflict; haughtiness; and even religious wars.
Bringing a sense of wonder, awe, and gratitude with you as you navigate life is beneficial. When these feelings are rooted in proper knowledge production, the individual solution can also be a collective one.
I have stated in previous essays that the human species is not in a position to even attempt to produce the knowledge of g*d without first producing the knowledge of Time. There may be structural elements to Time itself that either make the g*d Axiom obsolete/irrelevant or serve as prerequisite knowledge (an important term in Epistemology) for the knowledge of g*d. Either way, we have a collective responsibility to focus our resources to produce the knowledge of Time prior to attempting to produce the knowledge of g*d. Furthermore, the knowledge of Time is universal and can open evolutionary doors for us as individuals and as a species.
The responsibility is found in our voluntary cessation of attempts to produce the knowledge of g*d. This is also a great challenge as it requires demonstrating that individual solutions can and do lead to collective problems, especially when it concerns the g*d Axiom. Individuals may be resistant to this as they have found a powerful individual solution in their own personal g*d Axiom.
The ideal place to cease knowledge production on the g*d Axion is found in the broadest possible conception of “that which is beyond Time.” Essentially, when we acknowledge that there are myriad causes that gave rise to our current state of manifestation in Time, then we can tap into the benefits of the g*d Axiom, without allowing it to lead to collective problems. When we carry a sense of gratitude for our lives, and participation in this profound experience we call Life, then we use the g*d Axiom in our favor. When we cultivate the ability to “know that which we do not know” , we are embodying real wisdom. Ceasing knowledge production also helps us to convert axioms into demonstrable truths. This requires humility, especially in a world that has little interest in Epistemology. Indeed, a broad global understanding of Epistemology would help individuals understand the importance of “knowing that which you do not know” and being able to distinguish this knowledge from mere belief.
Ironically, the Western world has already stumbled upon the importance of ceasing knowledge production of the g*d Axiom. Due to its obvious religious overtones, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can be understood as a valid spiritual path for some. The wisdom of AA is found in the necessity to manage wildly different conceptions of g*d within the same spiritual community. As a result, AA de-emphasizes individualized g*d Axioms and instead utilizes the broadest possible conception, apparently to facilitate agreement (or a lack of arguments) among its community members. It is easy to argue against the Christian g*d, especially when an individual is not Christian. However, it is far more challenging (and futile) to argue against “a power greater than oneself.” We live in an interdependent universe; thus, there is no shortage of powers greater than individuals in our shared universe. The most obvious being the very interdependent universe in which we live. Another example is Time itself. When we cease knowledge production at that idea, then an individual solution can also become a collective one. AA is an ideal example of this as harmony is maintained through an intentionally broad conceptualization of g*d.
As stated in previous essays, the problem is not the individual solution, nor is it an intentionally broad conception of g*d. The problem is found when individuals specify “their” version of the g*d Axiom. Individuals make a choice to go past the broad conceptualization of a “power greater than oneself” and instead want to produce the knowledge of their personal g*d Axiom.
The wisdom found in AA is merely a Western community that has stumbled upon a timeless wisdom of knowing when (and how) to stop knowledge production.
WISE AGNOSTICISM
For those unfamiliar with the term “agnosticism” it generally refers to a state of not knowing regarding the g*d Axiom. The agnostic asserts that we simply do not have the necessary knowledge to understand g*d. This represents a wise perspective, especially at this point in our shared history.
As intelligent animals in Time, we have an individual and collective responsibility to “know that which we do not know.” This allows us to produce knowledge properly. When we arrive at concepts that we know that we do not know, we can voluntarily cease further knowledge production.
Put simply, in the face of our deficiency regarding the knowledge of Time, the wisest course of action is to redirect social resources toward producing the knowledge of Time. This means that the wisest among us must see the benefits of producing the knowledge of Time, even if this means “stepping on the toes” of religious adherents.
It is not that we must reject all theologies. Rather, we must be able to apply Epistemology and distinguish between knowledge and belief. We must be able to cease belief-based linguistic knowledge production in favor of a broader conception that we can know (we are all subject to powers greater than ourselves). We must learn to relinquish specificity regarding our individualized conceptions of the g*d Axiom. Your beliefs are not properly produced knowledge. Even though you may find your beliefs beneficial to you as an individual, you live in an interdependent universe with other animals. Harmony and a healthy society take precedence over “my g*d.”
Furthermore, the world is no stranger to wise agnosticism. The Buddhist religion is not even understood as a religion among many of its adherents. Rather, it is considered a psychology. It is a psychology that can help individuals to cultivate a genuine lasting happiness, without the g*d Axiom. Indeed, g*d is seen as irrelevant to spiritual practice in Buddhism. Irrelevant is the proper adjective to describe g*d using wise agnosticism, informed by Epistemology.
Problems arise when we insist that our individual version of the g*d Axiom is relevant. The reality is that any particular g*d Axiom is utterly irrelevant to cultivating a genuine lasting happiness. Numerous groups and individuals have discovered this wisdom throughout human history. We do not need g*d to be happy. Rather we need to train our minds to flow with the consistency of the present moment.
Global meditative traditions encourage us to rest our minds on the passage of Time. I acknowledge that different words may be used, but the underlying process of returning the mind to the stillness/silence of the present moment is the foundation of wisdom. Time passes. This passage is so consistent that when we train our minds to rest on the passage of Time, we cultivate a genuine lasting happiness.
The g*d Axiom is unnecessary to cultivate wisdom. Time is within our reach as intelligent animals. We are always subject to it and thus producing the knowledge of Time can facilitate both individual and collective solutions. As there is a singular knowledge of Time that pervades the universe, we can use it to cultivate an individual lasting happiness by training our minds to rest on the passage of Time. We can also use it to alleviate collective conflict by recognizing that the passage of Time is universally applicable. It passes for me just like it passes for you. We can share in the consistency of the passage of Time, as well as the benefits of doing so. I have an inner peace that I can take with me anywhere because my mind is trained to rest on the passage of Time. This same peace can be cultivated by others who train their minds to rest on the passage of Time (no matter what words they may use to understand it). When we recognize that we are all just cultivating peace by learning to rest our minds on the passage of Time, we have found a collective solution that is also an individual one.
We have a responsibility to evolve. This begins with appreciating the role of Epistemology in daily life, not just science and math. Things “work” because of proper knowledge production, not individual beliefs. For the purpose of species evolution, we need to learn Epistemology and its proper application. The g*d Axiom is an ideal example of the problems that can arise when we do not produce knowledge properly.
An individual can think whatever they want. However, their thoughts and related actions may obstruct evolution. They may be overly focused on the individual benefits of their personal g*d Axiom; however, these benefits blind them to the collective problems that arise when nearly 7 billion intelligent animals all engage in the same type of self-centered thinking. When the only relevant solutions are individual, we neglect the collective effects of our thoughts and actions. Producing the knowledge of Time can help redirect the human species to an individual and collective solution. However, some primitive elements of human society may choose to favor their individual beliefs over resolving collective problems. They cannot or choose not to see how individual solutions can lead to collective problems.
Evolution is not for a future generation. Rather evolution is always the responsibility of the living members of the species. We have a responsibility to evolve past the limitations given to us by previous generations. Indeed, previous generations gave us the g*d Axiom and taught us to favor our own individualized conceptions of g*d instead of applying the wisdom of “knowing that which we do not know.”
How much suffering must occur before individuals wake up and realize that what appears to “work” for them as individuals can indeed “work” for individuals? However, those same individual “solutions” become collective problems. There has been more religious conflict in human history than we can keep track of. This disappointing state of affairs for a species that claims to be “intelligent life” should be a wakeup call. Are we really as “intelligent” as we would like to believe if our history is filled with suffering in the name of personalized g*d Axioms?
Perhaps we have the potential to live up to our status as intelligent life. However, in order to do this, we must prioritize evolution of our shared species. This requires humility and the wisdom to “know that which you do not know” including your personal beliefs about g*d. We must learn to coexist as a species, and this begins with wisdom informed by Epistemology. We recognize that we do not and cannot properly produce the knowledge of g*d, at least without first producing the knowledge of Time. We humbly acknowledge our own personal beliefs about g*d to be improperly produced knowledge. We are animals in Time, not g*d’s BFF. After producing the knowledge of Time, we may be in a position to produce a singular and universal knowledge of g*d. However, we must produce knowledge in proper sequence for it to “work.”
Currently, in our primitive state as animals subject to Time, what “works” for individuals does not “work” for our collective species (and other species that may be impacted by our theological fervor, such as animals that are harmed due to “religious tradition”). We have a responsibility to future generations of our species to put our personal beliefs aside in favor of resolving collective issues.
The knowledge of Time can help unify our species as well as help individuals cultivate a genuine lasting happiness in the process. I encourage my audience to choose to make Time the object of your meditative focus. Perhaps together, we can be the first generation on Earth to produce the knowledge of Time.
Thank you and have a content day!
Sean