The Here and Hereafter (Το εδώ και το εξής)

-From my text in the Logos (The Word).

Time, as we perceive it, exists in two primary forms, which are measured and unmeasured in its duration. Measured time is defined by increments, whether seconds, minutes, hours or years, whilst unmeasured time pertains to the experience of time beyond the constraints of numerical values. In Meleticism, there is a fundamental principle that addresses what is known as the here and hereafter. These two concepts embody the present and the future, respectively. The here refers to the immediate moment in which we exist, perceive and act, whereas the hereafter extends beyond the present, representing the state of being that is yet to come.

It is important to understand that whilst these two concepts are distinct in their reference to time, they are inherently interconnected. The here and the hereafter both belong to the continuous flow of time, yet they function in separate realms of temporal awareness. The present moment is always in motion, transitioning into the future, and the future is always a consequence of what has preceded it. Thus, the two are inseparable, with one shaping the other in an endless sequence of existence.

What distinguishes the here from the hereafter is not merely the passage of time, but the awareness of causality and consequence. Every action in the present sets the foundation for the next, forming a chain of events that unfold according to the natural laws of the cosmos. This sequence cannot be altered arbitrarily, as each moment is bound to the one before it. A cause precedes an effect, and an effect, in turn, becomes a cause for what follows.

The human mind, through its capacity for consciousness, recognises this sequence and acknowledges the transitions from one state to another. In this recognition, we realise that time does not function independently of existence. Instead, it is woven into the exact fabric of reality itself. The laws that govern this process are attributed to the Logos, the rational principle that underlies all things in the universe. The Logos is not merely an abstract idea; it is the foundation upon which all movement, change and existence operate.

In many instances, our perception allows us to witness the cause and effect of events as they unfold. We observe the actuality of a phenomenon as it occurs and simultaneously anticipate its potential outcome. This anticipation is not always precise, but it reflects the natural ability of human consciousness to foresee the direction of events based on reason and observation. In this manner, our thoughts, decisions and actions are not isolated moments, but links in an ongoing progression of time.

Motion has a significant role in understanding the here and hereafter. In a physical sense, motion is the change of an object's position over time, but in a metaphysical sense, motion can also be interpreted as the active transition of consciousness from one state to another. Some philosophical traditions argue that motion is an illusion or a mere perception of the mind rather than an objective reality. In Meleticism, motion is acknowledged both as a physical phenomenon and as a reflection of the natural process of existence. Matter and form reveal motion as an undeniable reality, shaping our experience of the world.

The question that emerges from this discussion is, what is the ultimate truth about the here and hereafter? Whilst we can establish a logical relationship between the two, can we ever fully comprehend their deeper significance? To answer this, we must explore the nature of time itself.

If time is infinite, then both the present and the future exist within a continuum that has neither beginning nor end. This means that what we experience as now is simply one point in an eternal sequence, and what we anticipate as the future is another point yet to be reached. This perspective aligns with the understanding that the cosmos is as vast as our consciousness allows it to be. Just as our thoughts expand to contemplate the infinite, so too does the nature of time extend beyond our limited perception.

The concept of the hereafter is often associated with discussions of life after death. Many philosophical and religious traditions propose various interpretations of what happens when a person dies, ranging from reincarnation to eternal life in a spiritual realm. In Meleticism, however, the hereafter is not tied to the notion of an afterlife in a supernatural sense, but to the continuation of existence within the natural order of the universe.

The question arises, what is existence beyond the confines of the physical body? If the here represents our material reality, then what becomes of us when the body ceases to function? Whilst we do not possess definitive answers that are conclusive regarding the precise nature of postmortem existence, we do know that the body returns to nature, its atoms disperse and merge with the elements from which they originated.

Meleticism believes that our ousia (true essence), along with our atoms and soul, eventually reintegrates with (To Ένa) the One, the fundamental unity of all things. This process is not one of eternal life as imagined in religious doctrines, but a continuation of existence through the emanations of To Ena. There is no divine judgement, no eternal paradise or damnation. There is only the return to the natural order governed by the Logos. The presence of a god is neither necessary nor relevant to this process, as the cycle of existence functions independently of divine intervention.

This belief is embedded in the idea that existence is neither created nor destroyed, but merely transformed. Just as matter changes form whilst remaining constant in essence, so too does the ousia transition into different states of being. In this way, our fate is not dictated by an external force. Instead, it is a real reflection of the deeper reality of existence itself.

Beyond the physical and metaphysical dimensions, the here and hereafter can also be understood as states of consciousness. The here represents our immediate awareness, the conscious experience of the present moment, whilst the hereafter symbolises the awareness that extends beyond the present into the realm of possibilities.

In many philosophical traditions, the idea of an afterlife is used as a means to instill morality, often by presenting rewards or punishments based on one’s actions. Meleticism rejects the concept of an imposed moral order dictated by an external deity. Instead, it emphasises personal enlightenment and the pursuit of eudaimonia, which is a state of well-being and fulfilment achieved through wisdom, virtue and self-awareness.

Rather than concerning ourselves with an imagined paradise or fearing eternal punishment, we should strive to cultivate virtue and understanding in the present. The here is our reality, the material world in which we live and act. The hereafter is not an ethereal realm of perfect bliss; it is the inevitable continuation of existence in accordance with the Logos.

Ultimately, the here shapes the hereafter. What we do in the present moment influences what follows. If we seek wisdom and harmony, we align ourselves with To Ena and contribute to the natural flow of existence. If we remain ignorant and destructive, we disrupt this harmony. Human beings create their own heavens and hells, not in a literal afterlife, but in the way they live and shape their world.

Thus, the greatest pursuit is not an escape into an unknown paradise; instead, it is the sobering realisation of truth, balance and enlightenment within the natural order of existence. The here is now; the hereafter is then. Both are inseparably linked in the eternal process of being.

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