Forms (Μορφή)

-From the Meletic Scrolls.

In the nature of existence, we find two distinct yet interconnected types of being, which are those things that possess natural forms brought into being through the process of material emergence, and those things that take form through the unfolding of ideas. Both types of entities exhibit appearances or forms, but their essence remains constant, unaffected by the transient characteristics of these forms. We often focus on the external shape or configuration of an object, the form it takes in our perception. The true nature of these forms extends far beyond what we are capable of perceiving with our eyes. The real question, then, is when does a thing truly begin to exist, and at what point does it cross the threshold into existential reality?

The idea of form is a complex one. Forms may appear to be similar or dissimilar at various stages of their existence. Whilst forms can initially appear to be a result of multiplicity that is composed of the many elements that combine to make up a whole, their fundamental substance remains singular, unified in matter. This observation brings us to an essential point about the nature of form, which is our consciousness allows us to transcend simple visual perception and explore beyond the shape that we see. Although we are primarily aware of the external guise or material aspect of something, by concentrating our attention and reflecting deeply on its developed image, we are able to observe not only the form itself, but the idea also behind the form, which is the conception that gave birth to it. It is through this deeper understanding that we begin to reveal the genuine nature of the form, its original idea and the definition of its existence. Only through this process of awareness and contemplation can we begin to understand the true essence of what forms are, how they come into being, and what they ultimately constitute in both the material and metaphysical worlds.

At the intrinsic core of each form lies the substance from which it is created. The substance imparts to the form its inherent qualities that are beauty, purpose and meaning. There is something deeply profound in this relationship between form and substance. Forms that lack true substance are often seen as hollow, empty and devoid of significance, whilst those that are rich in substance are valued for their ability to endure and stand the test of time. Without the intellectual faculties of creativity, ingenuity and reasoning, the potentiality for forms to come into being would be reduced to the mere actuality of an existence that lacks the deeper essence and meaning that forms can provide. In such a world, the universe would be nothing more than a hollow shell, an empty reality that could be defined only by its material existence, but would lack the complexity, depth and richness that form and substance give to it.

To illustrate the idea, consider the example of a temple. A temple, regardless of how much material wealth is at its disposal, remains incomplete without form. Without the ideas and concepts that give shape to its design and physical structure. What is constant about forms is the understanding that they are inherently intertwined with both reality and matter. Without matter and form, reality itself would become an incomprehensible and chaotic domain of something far beyond the capacity of our minds to realise. Even in the realm of science, where the laws of physics attempt to explain and define the operations of the material world, the absence of matter and form remains an enigma that is an unsolvable riddle. Thus, we can say that forms are not eternal or mortal in the conventional sense. They exist in a state of flux and change, conditioned by time, space and the forces of nature.

When we reshape the form of a thing, we are attempting to establish a more concrete connection between form and substance, between the abstract and the tangible. Forms are not just relevant to material objects; they are also central to the process of change and transformation. Human beings, for example, possess both form and substance. Our physical bodies, in particular, are a manifestation of the essence of form and substance in a visible and material way. Form and substance are not the entirety of what constitutes us. We are also composed of a soul, a self and the ousia, which is our innermost essence that resides within our bodies, along with the atoms and molecules that constitute our physical forms. These elements, though inseparable from us, are only part of the whole. The soul, the self and the ousia coexist with the material form, but they can transcend the physicality of our bodies in the material world.

As human beings, we experience a gradual metamorphosis in our forms over the course of our lives. This change can manifest through growth, maturation and development that are both physical and mental. The evolution of our forms is neither divine nor unnatural; it is simply part of the natural process of life. There is a cosmic order to this progression, with the One and the Nous as the ultimate source of our existence. From the moment of our conception, we are part of this unfolding process. Our birth, our growth and ultimately our death are all part of this natural and philosophical cycle. When we are born, our form begins its development. Over time, we mature, and as we approach death, our form begins to dissipate, returning to the physical elements from which it was made.

Forms, both material and metaphysical, remind us that the cosmos is vast and intricate, full of shapes and configurations that take form within matter. It is not only the material world that possesses form, our minds, too, possess shapes that take form and substance. Life itself, in its deepest sense is the representation of this interaction between the material and the mental. It is a constant process of creation, where ideas are shaped into forms and forms evolve over time. We are not conceived from some sacred or divine nature, nor are we the only beings within the universe to possess intelligible forms. The material world as we experience it, is but an imperfect image of the true and undeniable reality of the realm of forms. What we perceive in the world of matter is a reflection of a mere shell that is of a greater metaphysical reality that lies beyond our immediate sensory experience.

Matter in this sense is insufficient to define our true essence. It may shape and influence the material forms we encounter, yet it does not constitute the deeper metaphysical nature of being. Matter requires form in order to exist and without form, it cannot reach its full potentiality. (Το Ένα) the One which represents the source of all being, does not possess a true form because it is not made from matter. If To Ena were to take form, it would cease to be the invariable and eternal essence that it is, for it would become another physical component of the material world. To Ena transcends form and matter, existing beyond their nature. In contrast, our forms are physical. They exist within the realm of matter, but our true essence, the ousia, transcends the physical body. Even though our physical bodies retain the soul and the ousia, these metaphysical elements cannot be measured or fully understood in terms of material form.

We must acknowledge that forms are not simply abstract ideas or empty shells; they are the embodiment of a greater, emergent reality that is always present and active. Matter cannot exist without form, for it is form that gives matter structure and potentiality. Without form, matter would lack the ability to develop, grow or evolve into something else. Therefore, it is not just the physical form we must understand, but the deeper metaphysical meaning also that lies behind every form. The Logos, which governs the universe, connects all forms to the greater cosmic order and provides a foundation for understanding the nature of being. Forms are not merely external appearances; they are the expression of deeper truths that reside in the Logos.

The ultimate question, then, is not simply what form something takes, but what that form signifies in relation to the Logos and the eternal, unchanging essence of existence. Through the Logos, we are able to recognise that all forms, whether material or immaterial are interconnected, and part of the same divine structure that governs reality. As human beings, we are part of this intricate compositions of forms, each contributing to the unfolding of the greater cosmic plan. Whilst our physical forms may change and decay, the essence of who we are, which is the ousia transcends the limitations of the material world, remaining eternally tied to the Logos.

Forms serve as a convergence between the material and metaphysical realms, connecting the physical world with the deeper truths of existence. They are not mere accidents of nature, but are the intrinsic expressions of the Logos, the ordering principle of the cosmos. It is through understanding forms, which are both material and immaterial that we come closer to comprehending the nature of reality and our place within it. The Logos governs the forms, and in doing so, guides us towards a deeper understanding of the cosmos and our ultimate purpose.

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