The Faces Of Humanity (Τα Πρόσωπα της Ανθρωπότητας)
-From the Meletic Scrolls.
Human beings have evolved as the predominant species on Earth, a reality widely accepted in the modern world. Many people perceive humanity as superior to all other creatures, attributing this supremacy to our extraordinary ability to survive, adapt and multiply in vast numbers. Other species, though possessing their own forms of intelligence and resilience, have faltered where we have thrived. What truly defines human evolution is not solely our biological endurance, but the development of our consciousness, our capacity for self-reflection and our pursuit of wisdom.
The concept of evolution itself is often a subject of discord and controversy, a topic discussed and debated across scientific, religious and philosophical circles. Whilst some people focus on the biological aspect, whether humanity emerged from primates or was created by a divine being, there is a deeper, more significant evolution to consider, which is the evolution of thought. This evolution transcends mere physical transformation; it represents the expansion of human reasoning, the development of philosophical insight, and the awakening of a profound understanding of existence itself.
In the beginning, before civilisation had taken shape, humanity sought to comprehend the world around it. The mysteries of life, the cosmos and our own mortality gave rise to interesting questions that would shape the foundation of human enquiry. Over time, the awareness of a unifying principle emerged, as being what the Meletics recognise as (To Ένa) the One. This realisation marked the dawn of philosophy, the birth of the logos that became the word through which wisdom would be shared and explored.
As this philosophical consciousness spread, individuals emerged who would dedicate their lives to the genuine pursuit of truth. These individuals, whom we now call philosophers, became the messengers of wisdom, guiding humanity through the extensive labyrinth of existence. Their insights revolutionised the way humans perceived themselves and their place in the universe. Instead of attributing all events to the whims of the gods, they sought reason, order and logic in the operations of nature.
Thus, the first great thinkers of antiquity emerged. They did not merely question the world; they sought to understand it. Through observation, inference and deduction, they laid the foundation for rational thought. They explored the human condition, the nature of reality and the cosmos itself. Their enquiries were not limited to the material world, but extended into the realm of the metaphysical, where they pondered the essence of existence, the soul and the underlying structure of all things.
With time, advanced civilisations arose, building academies, lyceums and institutions dedicated to learning and philosophical exploration. These centres of knowledge became the heart of intellectual progress, where students gathered to hear the wise teachings of great minds. It was in these places that the human spirit flourished, liberated from the shackles of superstition and blind faith. The legacy of these philosophers would transcend generations, influencing thought systems that extended beyond philosophy, even shaping religious doctrines.
The passage of time would see the decline of these great pioneers. The world, changing and subject to the forces of history, would witness the fading of their direct influence. Their teachings endured. From Thales to Anaxagoras, from Parmenides to Heraclitus, from Socrates to Plato, from Aristotle to Plotinus, from Epicurus to Zeno. Their philosophies became the inspirational pillars upon which future wisdom would be built. Even as dogmas and institutions sought to control the mind, the words of these thinkers echoed across manifold centuries, calling forth those people who would seek knowledge over blind devotion.
At the heart of philosophy lies a singular pursuit, which is the fundamental search for truth. Truth is the guiding force of wisdom, the beacon that illuminates the path to enlightenment. It is this quest that gave birth to Meleticism, a philosophy arising two thousand years after the golden age of Greek thought. Meleticism is not merely a continuation of ancient philosophy, nor is it a reconstruction of lost traditions. Rather, it represents the next step in the evolution of human thought that is a universal way of uniting reason with the deeper awareness of being.
In this new era of thought, mankind is no longer bound by the need for divine intervention or the submission to self-proclaimed messiahs. The truth does not require a prophet to reveal it, nor does it depend on sacred texts that dictate unquestionable doctrines. Truth is discovered through reflection, through the conscious engagement with life and reality. Man does not need to seek salvation from an external force; instead, he must look within himself. For within the depths of his own mind and soul lies the crux to understanding his existence, his purpose and his fate.
To those people who awaken to this realisation, the presence of To Ena becomes clear. To Ena is not an entity to be worshiped, but a truth to be understood. It is the primary source from which all things arise, the lasting unity that binds existence together. In embracing this notion, we come to see that our reality is not separate from To Ena, but an emerging expression of it. Our humanity is not defined by the gods we create. It is defined by the virtues we embody and the deeds we perform.
Virtue in its highest form is the path to enlightenment. Those who cultivate temperance, wisdom and knowledge walk the path of truth. They do not surrender their will to external authorities who claim divine right, nor do they allow themselves to be ruled by those individuals who exploit faith for power. Throughout history, mankind has relinquished its own authority, handing it over to rulers and institutions that claim to speak for the divine. In doing so, humanity has often forsaken its own soul, choosing subjugation over self-awareness.
Philosophy, unlike religion, requires no sacred scriptures, no prophets and no enforced doctrines. Meleticism, in particular, does not adhere to the traditions of biblical prophecy or divine revelation. Its principles are grounded in the teachings of sapient men who were not gods but human beings, who sought truth through thought and reason. The word remains the logos, as professed by Heraclitus, not the divine decree of an anointed one. Philosophy is not merely an academic pursuit; it is a way of life. It is the conscious striving towards wisdom, the disciplined practice of ethical living, and the unification of the soul with To Ena.
Through this path, humanity reaches the highest levels of consciousness and existence. True existence is not found in material wealth, power or fleeting pleasures. It is found in the realisation of the greater good, the harmonious alignment of one's essence with the flow of the cosmos. In this journey, we do not seek to escape reality, but to understand it fully in its state of existence. We do not seek to return to a god. We return to To Ena, which is the source of all being, the eternal presence within and beyond us.
To Ena is the Oneness that unites our ousia, which is our true essence with it. In the ultimate contemplation, the soul and ousia become one, no longer divided by illusion or ignorance. When we achieve this union, we realise what it means to be truly human. For to be human is not merely to exist, but to think, to seek wisdom and to cultivate virtue.
Thus, we are the apparent faces reflected of humanity. We are the seekers of truth, the bearers of wisdom, the ones who walk the path of knowledge. Through our actions, our contemplations and our conscious efforts, we shape the world and our place within it. Our journey is not defined by blind adherence to tradition, but by the continuous striving for understanding.
With each thought, each moment of insight and each act of virtue, we draw closer to To Ena. We are not mere wanderers in an indifferent universe, we are its conscious participants, its philosophers, its creators of meaning. In this realisation, we find our true purpose. In this unity, we become whole in our nature.
For more features, such as favoriting, recommending, and reviewing, please go to the full version of this story.