The Unknown

Posted on August 17, 2005
Filed Under Journal, Society |

What is the Unknown? In order to see the unknown, we must first clearly understand what our perception is. The five sense world of our understanding and reasoned perception is founded upon a variety of different components. These different components in effect are areas of our knowledge; knowledge which we have learnt by means of the tools of our society; namely science. This knowledge forms the basis of our belief systems. Ultimately then, our beliefs are based upon what we can term as “The Known”.

Traditional methods of analysis tend to examine a subject using Known rules. However the outcome of any analysis is not entirely dependant upon the rules or method of analysis used. A number of other factors also form a part of the equation; among them, the nature of the mind, and elements that can be termed as “Unknown”.

Unknown elements are factors that are either outside of the realms of human five-sense perception, or else factors that remain outside of our current knowledge.

The mind can play a factor in the equation because its nature can affect the outcome of any analysis on a number of levels. These areas would include among others; elements of the ego, and elements of the higher self – or pure consciousness. None of these aspects are currently understood by contemporary science / thought, much less accepted as a part of any given analysis.

Therefore a number of Unknown elements exist which are not attributed as factors in the methods of understanding used by science or reason. Without accounting these elements (both known and unknown factors), scientific thought is functioning in a delimited manner.

It is necessary then, for us to examine why these unknown elements are unaccounted, in addition to discerning how they could be factored into our thought methods.

As beliefs are the foundation of our thought methods, then it seems this would be a key place to begin. Belief itself is not something concrete. We can have a belief in the nature of the universe, or we can have a belief in our self or in a system or religion. However we do not have a belief in gravity for example. Belief in and of itself is not a requirement to accept the reality of gravity. Gravity does not become a belief factor until it is included as a deterministic value of a system of analysis. For example; when Newton calculated the effects of gravity on planetary orbits; he had no concrete system upon which to base his equations. The systems of the time were limited to the then current understandings of geometry and mathematics. Because these limited understandings were believed as entire solid values, the deterministic value of gravity could only be relative to those beliefs.

To clarify; if a solid known principle is included within a system of analysis that does not account for unknown probabilities – then the known principle (gravity in the above example) is affected in an unaccounted way.

In effect, when we reject or are unaware of an unknown, we quantify that unknown…we unconsciously apply a state to that unknown. This of course then becomes an undetermined factor which is also unconsidered.

This is also applicable if we consciously reject an idea or concept merely because it does not fit within established belief systems. By doing so we bolster our existing belief systems, or create new system at the expense of widening the parameters of our awareness.

*Beyond the Five Senses*

The human senses can only perceive what exists within the senses frequency range. Everything is built up of molecules, atoms and neutrons. These components each oscillate at a certain rate. If this frequency exceeds a certain threshold, then that component will literally vanish out of our perception. To all intents and purposes it phases of our reality.

Therefore, how can we reliably determine what is knowable or unknowable based upon the evidence presented to us by our senses? Even if those senses are enhanced by means of computers, microscopes or other equipment, ultimately the data is reduced to factors that are within our range of perception.

Deterministic principles can only go so far in the pursuit of comprehending reality. As I have mentioned in other articles, and as shown by many scientists; science is able to map the brain, however no science of any form has been able to determine what or where the mind is. Neither our senses nor any system is able to determine the nature of the mind. However we each have a mind, and are able to determine through inner observation _without_ the use of our five senses, that which science is unable to determine.

It is in such a way that we can move our understandings beyond the confines of a limited five sense reality.

*The Unknown*

From a psychological standpoint, it is generally accepted that humans have a fear of the unknown. However what is not widely understood or accepted how far fear or deep this fear goes.

Often we may find we fear the unknown aspects of ourselves; this can cause us to be fearful of turning inwards towards self introspection. Of course the converse is also true, sometime we fear to look within because we fear to confirm what we believe to be there. How we perceive the unknown is a reflection of an aspect of our own self. We may often not wish to admit this, or be unwilling to recognise it. However, like the yin / yang we must face inwardly to understand each aspect of our own nature, including those aspects we may perceive as negative and silently push aside. If we accept our entire self both positive and negative, our mind opens up to entire new realms of perception.

Through self-introspection we can begin to determine the nature of our own minds. However we then approach an impasse where difficulty arises in translating the nature of the mind into a method of communication. That is to say, because the nature of the mind is outside of the five-sense reality, we find we cannot relate the nature of that mind through the means of any human sense or system.

This is because we are perceiving an unknown directly. It is a principle that has been equated to “nothingness” or The Infinite. In either event, it is an attribute that is unquantifiable. Thus with this knowledge we can bring our understanding closer to the opposite polarity of the “Known”. From here then, we can begin to see a way in which we can reform our methods of observation.

*Finding a “Purpose”*

Can the knowledge of an aware mind be applied to the world around us? If we use reason, then we would reject this concept as being too relative; being based upon the individuals’ perspective. However this would be an assumption based on the rejection of an unknown. Through reason alone we cannot know if the nature of the mind is truly relative or universal.

At this level, when we discuss mind, we are not discussing ego or personality traits – these of which can partially be understood by psychology. Rather the nature of mind being discussed is that of our higher self, inner being or consciousness.

Reason works with the known and quantifiable, it therefore requires neither awareness nor wisdom instead needing only intellect and knowledge. Reason in this way can thus be considered as a perspective of the world barring the nature of higher mind. From an aware mind – or higher self – we can learn to bring inner wisdom to reason. Thus our observations can become balanced in a manner that is both physical and spiritual.

The known and unknown are opposite sides of the same coin. In contemporary reason based belief systems, we attempt to position aspects of the unknown onto the known side of the coin. If we cannot fit it, then it is automatically rejected. Once we accept the nature of the unknown, we can learn to perceive that the duality between known and unknown is an aspect of our own mind. It is our own being that creates the division.

Once we start to look, we can perceive how the unknown expresses itself in many aspects of our life. If we can accept the unknown, then in turn we can fully accept our self. Once we are able to do this, then we will gain a greater understanding and acceptance for all of reality.

From this point we can take a new approach to science, reason and all the other systems of our creation. We can reconsider the assumptions upon which our belief systems are based. And ultimately learn to unit the aspects that exist outside of those belief systems with those that exist inside of those systems.

Marcus - 2005