| It seems that there is a contradiction between | | | | mean this metaphorically or even psychologically. |
| the psychology of transcendence and the spiritual | | | | At the subatomic level, again there is no |
| idea of transcendence. | | | | substance. There are just probability patterns that |
| Psychologists believe that through the proper | | | | literally flit in and out of existence! For example, |
| application of intelligence and self-cognition one can | | | | an electron can appear under an observing |
| have a full and enjoyable life, with wealth, health, | | | | instrument then disappear, then reappear again. |
| and a great relationship, as well as a sense of | | | | There literally is no stuff! This is why the |
| communal belonging and contribution. | | | | Vedantists say that the world is Maya, or illusory. |
| Those in spiritual groups, in particular of an | | | | Yet to all purposes, on the macroscopic level, |
| eastern orientation, believe that one has to get rid | | | | both an intelligent being and an intelligible world |
| of the lustful ego that craves only fleeting things | | | | appear to exist. |
| and to unify with divine consciousness. | | | | On this level, personal growth and advancement is |
| The most popular compromise to resolve this | | | | necessary, not because it means anything on a |
| seeming paradox is that you have to build up the | | | | cosmic scale, but because there is literally nothing |
| self and let it go. In Vedic philosophy this is | | | | else to do with this adventure of life. You can |
| expressed as becoming a householder in the first | | | | either resist evolution and suffer all kinds of lack |
| stages of life then retiring to pursue | | | | or you can embrace evolution and the refining of |
| transcendence. | | | | mind and enjoy fulfillment of resources and |
| Yet most believe, because of cognitive | | | | experiences. |
| dissonance, that they should choose one view or | | | | Thus, when you look at things from the view of |
| the other. | | | | levels of perception, all contradictions disappear, |
| Thus, there are those who believe that they | | | | just as the contradiction of day and night |
| should be worldly and experience the world as it | | | | disappears when you understand that the sun and |
| appears to be. | | | | earth are in a cosmic dance. |
| Then there are those who believe that they | | | | It is possible to be engaged in the world and to |
| should reject the world and dedicate themselves | | | | actually enjoy it and at the same time to enjoy |
| to getting out of the misery of the cycle of birth | | | | meditation and contemplation to experience the |
| and death. | | | | inner sky of blissful freedom. It is by no means an |
| Here is another way of understanding this | | | | easy path, but after a while, they will support |
| paradox. | | | | each other. Material success and harmonious |
| The self is a transcendent consciousness. It is not | | | | relationships will give you the opportunity to |
| limited to a particular body or a particular lifetime. | | | | retreat to your inner work. Similarly your inner |
| Because it is not anything in particular, the "I" is | | | | work will contribute to your increase of |
| not an "it." This is why Buddhists say there is | | | | abundance and maintaining a loving relationship |
| "no-self." | | | | with others. |
| Similarly, the world itself is entirely illusory. I don't | | | | |