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4.1.2.1.3. Introduction
to the Supernatural
2/24/09
1. At this point, we should probably note a distinction
between what we call “supernatural” (or “paranormal”)
and transcendent. There is the possibility of telepathy, clairvoyance,
precognition and telekinesis. Then, there may be ghosts, spells and exorcism.
Reincarnation could be a fact. We may think of G-d as a supernatural being.
2. What I want to point out here, however, is that these ideas are somehow
of a different ‘caliber’ than the ideas I am calling transcendent
-- though we tend to lump them together...
3. It could be that reality “goes from” transcendent to supernatural
(or paranormal) to natural… So in "transcendence," I’m
talking about something that seems even more magical than does "supernatural."
4. As you can see, this stuff is difficult to convey effectively.
5. And so, there is this magical way of perceiving, experiencing, understanding,
sensing, imagining the world.
6. Many of us have this sense that the world is transcendent, personal,
living, magical (though, most of us have trouble with “magical”).
Some of us have it in much greater supply than do others of us. Some of
us hardly have it at all.
7. As implied previously (4, above), the concept of transcendence cannot
be conveyed “directly” – it can only be conveyed indirectly
through a kind of “osmosis.” Telling you that “transcendence”
is an alleged non-physical dimension won’t do it for you unless
you’ve experienced the concept already. These are the words evoked
by the concept, but these words do not evoke the concept in people who
have not already experienced it.
8 . But then, what we call “stories” seem to communicate through
osmosis. Stories seem to speak directly to our right hemispheres…
9 . The Jesus story is a good example. In fact, it could be our best example.
It could be the Mozart of the human story (Click here)…
10 . By becoming more and more familiar with the Jesus story, we can be
transported into a magical, transcendent world of humility, love and forgiveness
– to a sense of this is what life is all about, and that nothing
else matters…
11. Whatever, unfortunately, the Supernatural is something else again,
and requires a whole defense of its own.
(Link)
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