[JHL]

@ Andy

Sure. So my current thinking tends towards the idea that consciousness -- us and whatever other consciousness exists -- is an expression of the universe. Our ideas are an expression of our creative and rational nature. The universe is much bigger, much older than us; maybe consciousness is a mode of expression of that.

Yes, I agree. Just one nuance - is it not possible the physical universe is actually an expression of consciousness and not vice-versa? I.e. that our spiritual selves essentially exist on another plane or dimension (perhaps there are many) and the physical universe is just one (a school of sorts?). Its not terribly important for the purposes of this discussion, just a thought.

Which is another way of describing "god," but rather than say this idea of god is the "right" one, let's say for the moment that this is one face of god. As we are the products of that consciousness-expressing nature, we are connected to it, we are able to manifest a portion of its creative power. We are ostensibly capable of invoking what might be called "miracles" through this power. What's interesting is that religious traditions have generally attributed the ability to perform miraculous acts to only the most advanced masters. But LoA says anybody can do it and scale is no matter.

Yes, I'm with you here, I agree. On the point that anybody can invoke the LoA, that certainly is true - we all do it by default. But a master can, technically, invoke it with more immediacy and with more specific results. It would be interesting to understand the factors involved in the 'how' better.

Compare that to transcending self according to Eastern traditions, or seeing the face of god according to Western traditions. It's much easier to begin using LoA than to attain permanent transcendent states. So it's almost like we've got it backwards.

Its probably true that its easier to begin using LoA, but its an approach laden with pitfalls. The problem is that the power of the LoA is enormously appealing to ego. One goes from "you create your reality on the basis of your thoughts, beliefs and feelings" (a really good PD insight) to "Aha! I can use this to get all the stuff I want!" in record-breaking time, i.e. a purely ego-driven, materialistic motive. The Eastern philosophy's strength is that is strongly dissuades such distraction, even if its benefits are less immediately tangible or recognisable (or attractive to ego).

Except...what about the possibility that aligning yourself with these three aspects of divinity -- maybe there is a synergistic effect that would accelerate the pursuit of the realization of the divine, adding the vast depth of first-person spirituality to the compassion and devotion of second-person spirituality and creating great power of manifestation.

Does that makes sense? It's not a perfect model (or a perfect explanation), but I think it's worth exploring.

Well that is an interesting proposition. But it sounds like a promising idea in theory, but I imagine it depends upon the different paradigms being fundamentally compatible so that there is a synergy, instead of conflict. I wish I understood them better to comment further on it, but I must concede I dont. Thanks for explaining your viewpoint though, I hope I've done it some justice.