The Stages Of Our Existence (Τα στάδια της ύπαρξής μας)
-From the Meletic Scrolls.
In life, we are born into its vastness, immersed in a world we gradually begin to understand. Our journey is filled with experiences, emotions and moments that define our existence. Whilst we perceive life as the only tangible reality, there is a deeper essence within us that transcends the limitations of the physical world. We are not merely beings of flesh and bone; we are conscious entities, capable of deep introspection and spiritual growth.
When we pass from this present world, our physical form ceases to function, and the mortal aspect of our being comes to an end. However, this cessation does not equate to non-existence in the truest sense. Beyond the boundaries of material life, there lies an expanse of timelessness, which is an infinite space where the essence of our being continues. It is in this space that we begin to perceive ourselves beyond the constraints of form, understanding that our true nature extends beyond the physical vessel that maintains us during our earthly sojourn.
We are, in essence, beings of consciousness, endowed with the potentiality for profound realisation. Our purpose in life is not merely to exist, but to awaken to the deeper dimensions of reality that go beyond the material world. The journey of existence is one of self-discovery, where we gradually peel away the illusions that bind us and come to discern the fundamental truth of our being.
This realisation is not one that can be forced upon us. It is discovered through moments of profound enlightenment, which is an awakening that liberates the soul from the unnecessary confines of ignorance and illusion. In this state of enlightenment, we realise that we are not separate from the greater reality that surrounds us. There is an interconnection to all things, a unity that binds us to the vastness of existence itself.
Nature serves as a reminder of this unity. The cycles of life, the movement of the stars and the rhythm of the cosmos all point to a larger reality, one that transcends the fleeting nature of human experience. Time as we perceive it, is but a construct within the physical realm, yet there exists a certain space where time stands still as a place where we navigate life not through the constraints of the clock, but through the intrinsic flow of consciousness.
Through the various levels of our experiences, we move closer to the discovery of our truth. Once we arrive at this truth, the nature of our existence is simplified. We come to see that enlightenment is not a divine gift bestowed by an external force, nor is it the attainment of some supernatural state. Rather, it is the natural evolution of self-awareness, which is the recognition of a higher existence within us that has always been present, waiting to be acknowledged.
This journey can be understood through what we call the stages of existence. These stages do not represent a search for perfection, for perfection in the somatic sense is an illusion, unattainable by mortal beings. Instead, they reflect the expansion of our consciousness as we move beyond the limitations imposed by our physical nature.
Our existence is a part of a greater existence. It is one that begins with the Enas or the One. The growth we experience in life is not evidence of an illusory immortality, but a testament to the continuous unfolding of consciousness. The stages of life as we traditionally understand them, include birth, growth, aging and death. These stages, however, pertain only to the biological nature of our physical bodies. The true stages of existence extend far beyond the physical, reaching into the metaphysical dimensions of consciousness.
These stages are threefold:
The Origin
–The first stage is that of pure existence, the beginning of life itself. It is the stage in which we come into being, experiencing the world through the senses, yet unaware of the deeper realities beyond our immediate perception.
Consciousness
–The second stage is the awakening of the mind, the moment when we begin to question, explore and seek meaning. This is the stage in which we discover thought, reason and the complexities of existence. It is here that we start to acknowledge the dual nature of reality, which is the material and the immaterial.
Enlightenment
–The third and final stage is transcendence, where the mind and body are no longer seen as separate from the greater reality. In this stage, we achieve a profound state of awareness, one in which we understand our connection to all things. When we reach the stage of enlightenment, we have entered a realm of existence that has no absolute boundaries except those we impose upon ourselves. The realisation dawns that we are more than mere physical beings; we are manifestations of consciousness, capable of perceiving the intricate interaction between the perceptible and the imperceptible.
One of the great misconceptions of human existence is the tendency to define ourselves solely by our physical nature. We measure life in tangible terms by what we can see, touch and quantify. Existence in its truest form, cannot be measured by material means alone. If we limit our understanding of ourselves to the confines of flesh and bone, we ignore the greater aspects of our being, which are our mind, our soul and our connection to the infinite.
Life can be likened to the lotus flower, which blooms in the stillness of a pond. Surrounded by water, its petals unfold gently, bathed in the golden light of the sun. Just as the lotus rises from the depths to reveal its beauty, so too does consciousness rise from the innermost depths of material existence to uncover the truth of being.
We exist within an ocean of boundless reality, our minds traversing the waves of understanding, reaching ever deeper into the currents of existence. When we allow ourselves to move beyond the distractions of the body and the attachments of the material world, we find within us a space of serenity an undisturbed realm where truth is not tainted by illusion.
Even though we dwell within the constraints of human existence, we are capable of reaching beyond them. The potentiality for enlightenment is within us all, and when we align ourselves with this higher awareness, we move towards a state of fulfilment, a state of bliss that transcends suffering and illusion.
At the core of this journey lies (To Ένa) the One, the source from which all things emanate. It is in our connection to To Ena that we find healing, liberation and ultimate clarity. The mind is awakened, the soul is set free, and the body is at peace when we recognise our oneness with existence itself.
Ultimately, we return to To Ena, just as light returns to its source. The journey of existence is not one that leads to nothingness, but to an eternal cycle of awareness and rebirth, where consciousness continues to evolve, expand and unfold.
Thus, the stages of existence are not merely milestones in a linear path. They are interconnected aspects of a greater whole and remind us that our existence is not confined to the physical world, but extends into the vast expanse of consciousness, which is a space where we are truly free.
For more features, such as favoriting, recommending, and reviewing, please go to the full version of this story.