Ta Onta (Τα Όντα)
-From the Meletic Scrolls.
The term "Ta Onta" (Τα Όντα), derived from ancient Greek, translates to "the beings" or "the entities." In the philosophy of Meleticism, it refers to the existential beings or things that pertain to universal existence. This encompasses both animate beings, such as human beings or empsycha (those who possess a soul), as well as inanimate objects that exist within the cosmic structure. Whilst inanimate things are existential in their nature, it is the animate ones that are intimately connected to the emerging cycle of the cosmos. Through these beings, life evolves and reveals its truest form. To understand the essence of universal existence and the deeper mysteries of the cosmos, we must first grapple with the concept of being itself, particularly in its ontological context.
In its simplest sense, being refers to existence itself, which is the essence of what it means to exist. To truly comprehend the idea of being in an ontological sense requires more than a surface-level understanding; it necessitates a deep, reflective exploration of the exact nature of existence, both in the material and metaphysical realms. To this end, we begin with a consideration of being in its most fundamental and unchanging form.
Being, in its most definitive state is the form or manifestation that reveals itself in reality. It is that which corresponds with time, but not bound by it. The form of being in this reality is eternal in its nature, as it exists outside the constraints of the temporal world. However, we human beings are not eternal. We along with everything else in the universe made of matter are finite beings subject to time and the processes of decay. This sets us apart from the eternal state of being itself, yet we remain part of the same cosmic reality. The distinction between being and non-being, or between the eternal and the ephemeral is central to understanding our place within the cosmos.
We exist within the realm of being, which is a universal plane that encompasses everything in existence, whether that existence is physical, metaphysical or abstract. This realm is not static, and it does not demand that we conform ourselves to an absolute, fixed state of being. Rather, the path of self-awareness and enlightenment lies in exploring our consciousness and developing an understanding of the broad, deep meaning of existence itself. Being is not something that we simply possess; it is something that we must understand and experience through self-awareness.
Human beings, like all forms of existence are composed of matter, such as atoms that form the building blocks of physical reality. These atoms in their intrinsic shape are subject to the laws of nature and cosmic forces. However, we are not merely the sum of our physical parts. Our ousia or true being derives from the emanations of (To Ένa) the One, which transcends our physicality. We are a part of a greater, unified existence that is in constant flux, changing yet unchanging in its genuine essence.
As finite beings, we are bound by the limitations of our physical form. Through our consciousness and our search for enlightenment, we can transcend these limitations and touch upon the universal state of being. The transcendence of our limited consciousness awakens the depth of our souls, bringing us closer to the truth of existence. This ascent to the ultimate truth allows us to become conscious of the unique realms of existence that are often hidden from ordinary perception. We begin to distinguish between becoming and being, which is the tangible, material world that is constantly in flux and the metaphysical world that remains true to its nature.
The things that we encounter in our lives either are or become. They appear to us as real, and in that reality, they embody the dual nature of actuality and change. This distinction between being and becoming is central to our understanding of the cosmos. Becoming refers to the process of change, to the unfolding of existence in time. Being, on the other hand, represents the state of existence that transcends time and is eternal. The universe itself is a manifestation of this eternal being, unfolding through the continuous process of becoming. Life as we know it, is an active movement between these two realms of being and becoming.
The cosmos with its vast array of forms and phenomena, reflects the eternal truth about existence. To Ena is in a pure state of being, a state that cannot become anything other than what it is. It cannot be divided, altered or multiplied. It is the perpetual flow of the One to the many, which means that everything that exists is derived from the One and ultimately returns to it. This unity is the foundation of the cosmos, and it is through this unity that we can begin to understand our place within it.
There is nothing miraculous about our universal existence as human beings. We are not the result of divine creation in the traditional sense, but we retain the inherent trace of our being through the process of life. Life is a journey of being and becoming or a continuous unfolding of existence. In death, this journey does not cease. Instead, our being returns to the cosmos, nature and To Ena in what is known as Epistrophis (The Return). Death is not an end but a transformation, a return to the source of all being. Our bodies may turn to dust, our souls may become air, and our ousia may become energy. However, in this transformation, we become one with the vast cosmos and the eternal flow of existence.
This return to To Ena represents the completion of our cycle of being and becoming. Death in this sense is not the cessation of life, but the beginning of a new phase in the cycle of existence. It is the final step in our enlightened journey, where we reunite with To Ena, transcending the limitations of our physical form and embracing the eternal state of being that is beyond time and space.
Every actual thing that exists must have a being that takes form in some phase of existence. For human beings, this is manifested in the physicality of our bodies that are tangible, verifiable forms that occupy space and time. It is our consciousness, our ability to rationalise and understand the nature of existence that sets us apart. Through this consciousness, we are able to distinguish between life and death, between the ephemeral and the eternal.
Though we can never be eternal like To Ena, nor can we live as long as the cosmos or nature itself, we are still a part of the greater fabric of existence. Everything that exists, whether physical or metaphysical, derives from the origin of universal existence. In this way, our individual beings are both separate and connected to the whole. We exist within a larger, profounder state of being that transcends our individual lives.
To Ena resides in a continual state of being that cannot be measured or confined by the limitations of our perception. It is the highest form of being, an existence that transcends all others. The Logos presides over the cosmos and nature, just as it governs the elements of time and space. The Logos is the underlying structure of reality, whilst the Nous shapes the universe as the Logos guides this fundamental process.
The Nous is the force that shapes things into existence. It is through the Nous that the world takes form, and it is through the Logos that this world operates according to a plan. Ultimate being, therefore, transcends the reality that we know. To Ena is the ultimate being, the source of all existence, and the final return of all beings. Through our consciousness and our understanding of the principles of Meleticism, we can begin to connect with this ultimate being and align ourselves with the eternal flow of the cosmos.
"Ta Onta', which are the beings of existence are the manifestations of the eternal To Ena. Through the process of being and becoming, we navigate the realms of reality, both physical and metaphysical, seeking enlightenment and understanding. The ultimate goal is to transcend the limitations of our physical forms and reconnect with To Ena, realising the true essence of existence and the unity of all beings within the cosmos. In this way, we can embrace the eternal flow of being, becoming one with universal existence through the ousia.
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