The Riddle of Eternity (Το αίνιγμα της αιωνιότητας)

-From the Meletic Scrolls.

What we see of the cosmos, nature and the material world is merely the observable part of their reality. Our senses and scientific instruments allow us to perceive a fraction of existence, yet beyond this lies a greater dimension of reality that remains elusive. It is one that has not yet been fully established, comprehended or observed with the utmost clarity. To some, this dimension represents an existence without an end, an existence beyond time itself. It is an infinite continuum, stretching far into the future without cessation. Others define it as the remainder of time that unfolds after death, a boundless state beyond the known limits of mortal perception.

Eternity as a concept transcends the limitations of physicality. It is not merely a prolonged duration of time, but something that surpasses time altogether. Thus, the question of eternity is better examined through a metaphysical lens, for it does not belong solely to the empirical domain, but to the nature of being and enquiry inquiry itself. When we contemplate the depth of existence, we often find ourselves confronted with a fundamental question, which is existence itself eternal, or are we merely witnessing an external illusion of reality without fully comprehending its underlying essence?

If the cosmos were truly eternal, would it not suggest that all things within it, from every star, every particle, every form of life must also originate from something of an equally eternal nature? This idea leads us to a paradox, a riddle of existence that has intrigued philosophers for centuries. Parmenides, the ancient Greek thinker, proposed a vision of existence that stands in opposition to change. He asserted that true being is unchanging and indivisible, whereas all that appears to transform is merely an illusion of perception. In contrast, Heraclitus argued that all things are in flux, subject to an ongoing process of becoming. If we apply Parmenides’ reasoning, then eternity would imply an immutable state of being, which is an existence that neither begins nor ends but simply is. However, if reality is defined by perpetual change, then eternity may be nothing more than a fleeting illusion, a momentary aspect of a transforming universe.

The quest to understand eternity is deeply rooted in philosophy, which seeks to explain the nature and essence of all things. Science and religion offer their own interpretations. Science through theories of time, space and cosmic evolution, and religion through divine and eschatological doctrines. However, Meleticism approaches the question from a unique perspective, integrating concepts such as (To Ένa) the One, the Logos and the Nous. These elements serve as fundamental aspects of existence, guiding our understanding of the eternal within a naturalistic structure.

In Meleticism, what can be defined about the observable world is an existence that is undoubtedly finite. The stars burn out, civilisations rise and fall and life itself is bound by the constraints of time. Yet, the true essence of existence cannot be fully measured by empirical reality alone. The physical universe, governed by laws of matter and energy, represents only a portion of a much grander structure that cannot be reduced solely to its finite manifestations.

If we accept the premise that reality is composed of both finite and infinite elements, then we arrive at a fundamental divergence in understanding eternity. The riddle of eternity, therefore, presents itself in two distinct manners:

That which is eternal must be unchanging, absolute in its essence, and incapable of becoming anything other than what it inherently is. It exists outside of time, beyond the fluctuations of birth and decay. In this sense, eternity is synonymous with To Ena, the singular foundation from which all existence emanates. This is eternity as being.

If eternity is linked to the process of change, then it cannot be static. Instead, it is a continuous unfolding, an infinite cycle of transformation where existence perpetually reshapes itself. Under this view, nothing remains truly eternal in a fixed sense, for all things are engaged in the act of becoming something else. This is eternity as becoming.

A riddle by definition is a puzzle or a question that holds multiple possibilities, yet demands a singular answer. In contemplating eternity, we find ourselves navigating between two seemingly opposing truths, which are the eternal as an immutable state of being and the eternal as a changing process of becoming. Which, then, is the true nature of eternity?

Meleticism suggests that the answer lies within the interaction of these two perspectives. Whilst the material world exhibits the characteristics of becoming, there exists a higher reality that remains unaltered, unshaken by the transitory movements of time. This higher reality is To Ena, the foundation of all being. Everything that exists within the cosmos, though adaptive to change, ultimately derives from this single principle. It is the origin and the finality, the essence from which all things emerge and to which all things return.

This does not render the process of becoming irrelevant. On the contrary, becoming is the means through which existence expresses itself in time. The shifting of seasons, the birth and dissolution of stars, the evolution of thought. These are not mere illusions, but reflections of a deeper, underlying order. The paradox of eternity, then, is not a contradiction but a dynamic relationship between permanence and change.

The riddle of eternity is one that has persisted through millennia, inviting each generation to seek its answer. Whilst empirical science provides us with measurements and theories, and religion offers us faith and doctrine, philosophy urges us to contemplate and question the things that surround us. Meleticism stands as a link between these modes of understanding, guiding us towards an awareness that integrates both reason and intuition.

Perhaps the ultimate truth of eternity is not one that can be fully articulated in words or formulas. It is an experience that must be perceived beyond the limitations of human cognition. Whether eternity is the unchanging essence of being or the continuous unfolding of becoming, its mystery remains woven into the innermost fabric of existence itself.

Despite the centuries of philosophical enquiry, scientific exploration and theological reflection, the riddle of eternity remains an enigma, which is an elusive truth that continues to captivate the human mind. Perhaps our greatest limitation in grasping eternity is the fundamental nature of our perception; we are bound by time, experiencing reality through a temporal lens that struggles to fathom the infinite realm of existence. Yet, it is precisely this limitation that motivates our pursuit of knowledge. The desire to understand what lies beyond the observable world, beyond the confines of beginning and end, is an evident testament to the depth of human curiosity. Whether eternity is an immutable state, an endless transformation or something entirely beyond our comprehension, it compels us to seek, to question and to engage with the profound mysteries of existence. In this pursuit, we may never fully unravel the riddle, but in striving towards understanding, we participate in the true essence of eternity itself, which is a journey without an end.

Thus, the riddle of eternity persists, not as a puzzle to be definitively solved, but as an exploration to observe, to study and to think deeply about the nature of reality and our place within it as human beings. To a Meletic, our cosmos, nature and material world are a microcosm within a greater macrocosm of existence that is the ultimate reality of To Ena. A god is unnecessary. There is nothing divine about eternity or reality.

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