This Web page contains a brief introduction to The Third
Circle (TTC). The page aims at describing and giving a picture of
what The Third Circle (TTC) is.
TheThirdCircle (TTC)is an opening to all-that-is and up to infinity, by
self-work and out of Self-Source-Of-Authority, in the quest of truth and
reality, aiming at eliminating the human suffering.
Since the above definition may not reveal at first glance all there is to
know about what The Third Circle (TTC) actually is,
this file will describe TTC, both in simple words
and terms and in a more detailed manner.
Simple Description OfThe Third Circle
The Third Circle (TTC) is unique, unlike anything
else, and it is very wide and deep in scope -- hence there's a difficulty to
describe it simply. The Third Circle (TTC) contains
the most empowering approach and the greatest breakthrough humanity have
faced so far, which, because of their novelty, may not be very easy to be
recognized for what they are at a first glance, or at a superficial glance.
The simple words definition given below may not be fully accurate, yet, it
is intended to give an initial picture in simple words.
A simple definition ofThe Third Circle
The Third Circle is an opening, it opens up. In
other words, The Third Circle is a non-dogmatic,
teaching-like approach -- an approach of growth in all aspects of life,
relative and absolute. The approach is based on the recognition that the
greatest Master, Guru, Rabbi, teacher and guide is inside each and everyone
-- it is one's own Higher Self, and, ultimately, one's Supreme Self. Thus,
the life-growth work suggested by The Third Circle
is suggested to be done by oneself, tapping one's own inner sources,
receiving guidance from within. The Third Circle
provides basically two things:
1. Theoretical basis
(A philosophy) which may enable such self-work. Since The
Third Circle is an opening -- not dogmatic --
TTC theories and philosophy are not expected to be
believed in, or to be accepted at face value. They are intended to serve as
a starting point, to facilitate self-study and self-observation into life.
The theories and philosophy are presented in order to give some clues, to
ease embarking the process of self-study. It seems to have a place since
most prevailing education systems are based on study from external sources,
not on a real self-study.
2. Practical aspect
Which contains myriad of suggested exercises, or actions, which may
facilitate growth in all aspects of life -- practical, psychological and
spiritual. Since The Third Circle is an opening --
not dogmatic -- nothing is a must. All TTC does is
to mention signposts, or suggestion. It is us up to each and every
individual to choose for oneself, by oneself, what exercises to practice and
the exact manner to perform each and every exercise, or signpost.
Since The Third Circle is described as
non-dogmatic, teaching-like approach, TTC will be
compared to teachings, or 'paths' -- which are what
TTC may look like at a superficial glance. Thus, by
looking at the similarities and differences between
TTC and a teaching, or a 'path' -- we may get an
initial picture of what TTC is and what it is not.
Description of a teaching or a 'path'
A teaching and a 'path' usually contains three elements:
1. Philosophy
An underlying theory and/or philosophy and/or myth(s) and/or belief(s) which
contain description(s) of goal(s) and action(s) by which to attain the
goal(s).
2. Prescribed Action(s)
A prescribed action, or a set of prescribed actions, which individuals are
to perform, or undertake, in order to follow the teaching, or the 'path'
and/or to attain the aspired goal(s).
3. Source of Authority
A source of authority which is responsible for:
presenting the underlying theory;
the proper interpretation of the underlying theory;
guidance in undertaking the prescribed action(s);
interpretation of the exact nature of the action(s) to be taken;
evaluation of the correctness of the action(s) taken;
and, sometimes, affirmation of arriving at the aspired goal(s).
Similarities and differences betweenTTCand teachings
1. Philosophy The Third Circle (TTC) contains an underlying
philosophy. Usually, in teachings and paths, the underlying philosophy is to
be accepted and believed in by the followers, or practitioners. Most
teachings and paths are based on acceptance of the underlying philosophy and
premises, and on believing it.
On the other hand, in The Third Circle (TTC) nobody
is asked to accept the philosophy, or to believe it -- it's just the other
way around -- people are encouraged to look for themselves, each with one's
own eyes, and to get at their own conclusions and philosophy.
The Third Circle's philosophy is presented with the
intention that it will serve as a starting point to self-study and
self-observation. In TTC, accepting or believing
anything, including TTC's philosophy, doesn't count
-- what counts is each one's own study, observation, conclusions and
philosophy.
2. Prescribed Action(s)
Following, or being a member, or a practitioner, or a follower of a teaching
or a path means that acting on the indicated prescribed action(s) is
mandatory -- performing the prescribed acts, alongside accepting and
believing the basic premises, is what makes one a member, or a practitioner,
or a follower.
On the other hand, in The Third Circle nothing is
mandatory, nothing is a must. All TTC indicates are
myriad of suggestions, or signposts, in all areas of life. Everything is
fully open to personal choice. Actually, the major signpost presented by
TTC is to take guidance from within -- and there
are suggested signposts to facilitate doing so. Thus,
TTC's major signpost is to follow one's own inner
guidance, as preferred to following any of the suggestions indicated by
TTC.
3. Source of Authority
In teachings and paths the source of authority is external. It is a book, or
books, and/or teacher(s) or minister(s) that either create the basic
philosophy and premises, or interpret them. Thus, the source of authority
are the words of the book(s), and/or the words and interpretations of the
teacher(s) or the minister(s).
On the other hand, The Third Circle indicates at
Self-Source-Of-Authority (SSOA). Thus, it is not
what TTC says that counts, it is each and every
one's own stand and actions that counts; it isn't
TTC's guidance which counts, it is each and
everyone's own inner guidance that counts.
As much as SSOA may sound to some as an egotistic,
or a self-centered approach -- it is actually far from being so.
Self-Source-Of-Authority is basically authority of
knowledge. Taking a stand on the correct authority of knowledge takes a
study of the nature of knowledge and knowing -- by looking at what knowledge
is, at what knowing is, one may take a stand on the source of authority of
knowledge. For the study of the nature of knowledge to be meaningful it is
to be done earnestly. Since the topic is vast and deep, a whole Web page and
file dedicated to SSOA are being prepared.
A Detailed Look Into The Third Circle'sDefinition
The Third Circle's definition says: The Third Circle (TTC) is an opening to
all-that-is and up to infinity, by self-work and out of
Self-Source-Of-Authority, in the quest of truth and reality, aiming at
eliminating the human suffering.
Let's see what it means:
An opening
An opening is a clearance which gives space to the existence, or emergence
of things which hitherto were not there, or which one were not conscious of,
or which one didn't connect to in such a way that may enable one utilizing
them. In TTC, an opening means two things:
1. TTC indicates and points out at openings already
existing within us, openings which hitherto we may have not been aware of,
or which we may not have been fully aware of, or which we may not utilized
fully.
2. TTC points out at possibilities, or possible
ways by which we may create in ourselves, or for ourselves, openings,
clearances, that may enable the existence, or emergence, or the
consciousness, of things which may enrich our lives and be utilized to serve
us growing in life and fulfilling our life's purpose.
All-that-is
By all-that-is we mean the entirety of relative, phenomenal existence. That
is, the whole of the universe(s), all the phenomena in the universe(s) --
material, energetic, mental, emotional and spiritual. All-that-is, or
phenomenal existence, is distinguished here from the absolute, or the
infinite.
Infinity
Infinity is absolute, eternal, formless, nameless, boundless, timeless,
beginningless, endless, pure consciousness, pure existence, the un-caused
cause of all-that-is, the substratum of all phenomenal, manifest
existence. Some call it The One, The Is, the nameless and formless God, the
godhead, the Supreme Self, Brahman, Atman, the Tao, the state of Being, the
Buddha nature.
Self-work
Self-work is pretty straightforward -- whatever results there may be, the
results will be gained by one's own work and actions. That is, in TTC it isn't God, or a teacher, or a guide, or a Guru, or
a Master, or a Rabbi, or a spiritual guide, or a spirit guide, or a path, or
TTC itself, which is going to do the work for any
individual -- it is the individual who is working for oneself by oneself.
Only, working for oneself doesn't mean being selfish in any way, the
non-selfishness inherent in TTC will be mentioned
later on.
Self-Source-Of-Authority
One of the basic realizations which The Third Circle
(TTC) is based upon, is that the greatest Guru, Master, teacher and
Rabbi is inside each and every human being. This leads to a basic standpoint
of Self-Source-of-Authority (SSOA). Authority here
means basically authority for one's knowledge, thus, seeing what
Self-Source-Of-Authority (SSOA) actually is takes a
keen study of what knowledge is, what is real knowing, versus what some may
think they know, while they don't actually know. On one hand,
Self-Source-Of-Authority (SSOA) is the most
empowering stand there is. On the other hand, seeing what
SSOA actually is takes a keen study into the nature
of knowledge and knowing. Without such a study it may become very easy for
the ego to assume self-authority, while this is definitely not the initial
meaning of SSOA. Therefore, a whole file and Web
page are dedicated to looking into Self-Source-Of-Authority
(SSOA).
This is why we say: TTCis because you are your own Master.
The quest
Quest denotes both seeking and a journey. Classic philosophy originated in
the seeking of knowledge, or wisdom, and the essential nature of life, truth
and reality. Many teachings and 'paths' contain a journey towards a
described goal. In the view presented by The Third
Circle, one's life and one's spiritual journey are one and the same
-- one's life is the spiritual journey, the spiritual journey isn't
something separated, or different, from the whole of one's life. Thus,
TTC suggests commitment to one's life which equals
commitment to one's spiritual journey -- as differs from commitment to a
specific goal, which is indicated by some teachings and 'paths'. Setting
goals is very helpful, yet, what counts most is the entirety of one's life,
hence, the journey counts more than attainment of any set goal.
As much as one's life and the journey counts most, without having an aim,
life may drift aimlessly hither and thither. On the other hand, setting a
rigidly defined goal for one's life may cause diminution of the value of
one's life prior to the attainment of the set goal, not living life fully
out of the expectation for attaining the goal.
Embarking on a quest may give direction to life, an ideal which may direct
one's attention, interest and actions. Yet, having in mind that what counts
most is one's life, the quest may serve as directing one's life without
belittling it. Thus, what one actually have, what counts most, is the
entirety one's life -- flowing and directed by the quest. No single moment
in life is aimless, no single event in life is meaningless, since one's life
is what one actually have and what counts most. Only, one's attention,
interest and actions are directed by one's quest.
Truth and reality
Truth and reality are both strait forward and, in deeper levels, intricate.
Ultimately, truth and reality are one and the same. Simply put, the quest
for truth and reality gives preference to things as-they-really-are, to
reality as-it-is, rather than the way it is assumed to be, or believed to be
-- assumed and believed without an attempt to actually know the truth, the
true nature of reality.
Beliefs and myths are essential and integral constituents of the human
psyche and of human life. The Third Circle makes no
attempt and no suggestion to avoid any belief and myth. The quest for truth
and reality denotes living one's life as it is, as one is, including all
beliefs and myths one may have, while aspiring to grow in knowledge of truth
and experience of the reality of life.
Eliminating the human suffering
Eliminating the human suffering is The Third
Circle's highest aim -- an attainable aim. It may be actually
attained, in time, by each and every human being and by humanity as a whole.
The actual way to eliminate the human suffering is the entirety of
The Third Circle -- too vast to be portrayed in
this introduction.
In a nutshell, traditional teachings and paths declare that eliminating the
human suffering is possible only by attaining enlightenment, or
Self-realization, or Nirvana. This is true, when the aim is absolute
elimination of suffering. Only, there is a catch here -- attaining
Self-realization means giving up completely one's individual identity, or
one's identification with individuality.
The Third circleis an opening to all-that-is and
up to infinity, which means that aspiring to grow in knowledge and
experience of the relative is as a legitimate aim as aspiring to attain
Self-realization. One of the novelties of The Third
Circle is that elimination of the human suffering is possible while
living in the relative, without Self-realization. Indeed, this elimination
of suffering is relative, not absolute, yet, it is practically possible and
actually attainable.
An Overview OfThe Third Circle
The Third Circle's underlying principles and
philosophy stems from conscious experiences, observations and realizations.
It isn't relying on unproved beliefs, dogmas, or empty ideas and notions.
The main source of TTC is the unbounded, peaceful
ocean of truth and wisdom lying in the silent chambers of our hearts. This
peaceful ocean is both the main source from which
TTC was derived and the main goal to which
TTC is aiming at, or pointing to. This ocean is
within each and everyone and is accessible by all who may choose so.
TTC presents suggestions, or signposts, for
accessing what we have already -- our innermost being, truth, wisdom, peace,
consciousness and knowledge. TTC points out at
possibilities to open up to what's already inside.
Upon opening up to our inner resources, we may create, or bring in, things
we didn't have, or didn't experience, previously. TTC
aims at creating openings -- actual results may be created by individuals.
Actual result may be the very opening itself -- the experience and knowledge we
may open up to. Another possibility is that the opening may reveal ways and
means to get results in our life and to actually create our own reality.
TTC is an opening -- it is not a teaching, dogma or
religion. It is not connected or associated with any existing philosophy,
teaching, path, dogma or religion. Though many aspects of the philosophy
underlying TTC are found in other philosophies, at
times presented in a similar way, at times presented differently --
TTC is not connected directly to any other
philosophy.
Moreover, TTC in its entirety contains novelties
which are not found elsewhere.
TTC points at openings in all fields and levels of
life, material, physical, psychological, astral and spiritual.
TTC points also at the ultimate supreme --
Self-realization, or enlightenment.
One of the major possible tasks confronting each and every human being is
breaking-through the human conditioning, to which we all are subjects. As
much freedom it seems we have in our lives, being conditioned means we
actually have a limited amount of freedom. As we break more and more of the
human conditioning we all are subjects to, the more freedom we experience in
our lives.
Full, or absolute, freedom is enabled only at Self-realization, which may be
defined as a complete freedom from all conditioning and attachments.
Some practical signposts for breaking-through the human conditioning are
being prepared in a separate file and Web page.
TTC points out at taking guidance from our inner
sources, from our Higher Self and Supreme Self, from our insights, intuition
and conscience. Thus we are enabled taking a stand of
Self-Source-Of-Authority (SSOA).
Self-Source-Of-Authority (SSOA) is both a starting
stand and a goal. Acknowledging the fact that the greatest Master of them
all is inside oneself, one may start by referring authority to oneself. Yet,
we all are subjects to the human conditioning, and one of the basic human
conditioning is that authority is located outside oneself. Therefore,
breaking-through the human conditioning, apart from bringing more freedom,
enables more Self-Source-Of-Authority (SSOA).
The theoretical basis and some practical signposts for working with
Self-Source-Of-Authority are being prepared in a
separate file and Web page.
Meanwhile, all are welcomed to look at and practice
Meditations InThe Third Circle
presented both as a text file and in a
Web Page in this location. Some of those
meditations are aids for operating out of
Self-Source-Of-Authority.
