The Third Circle Philosophy (text)

The Third Circle

Philosophy Outline

(172) "As the wind creates the clouds and again destroys them, so this bondage is the creation of the mind, and it is the mind also that destroys that bondage.

(223) "This is the cause of liberation from the world -- the consciousness, the knowledge of the non-separateness of the self from the Supreme. By this knowledge, one attains that Bliss Eternal.

Shankara
Vivekacudamani (The Crest Jewel of Discrimination)

"All knowledge, then, now, or in the future, is latent within self -- the true God-forces meet within, not without self, for why take it from another source, when self may attain to the Throne itself!

"I Am That I Am! -- Search it in thy inner self, for man is made a co-creator with the godhead.

"The answers, then, are within thyself. The Creator, the Gods and the God of the Universe, speak to man through this individual self. Few are able to see God in battle, earthquake -- but all may experience Him in the still small voice from within.

"Truth is that which grows in the hearts of men. Turn within and let those guiding forces of thine inner self be thy guide."

Edgar Cayce
a medley of excerpts from his readings

"Be light unto yourselves.
Rely upon yourself; do not depend upon anyone else."

Buddha's last words

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.

About This Web Page

Hello fellow human being.

This Web Page contains an outline of some basic concepts in the philosophy of The Third Circle (TTC), which is an opening to all-that-is and up to infinity.

Since expounding The Third Circle (TTC) properly will take a whole book, or possibly even few books, only some basic concepts will be outlined here. Not all basic concepts and principles are included here, only some of the major ones. This introduction is meant to give an overall view and a frame of reference to The Third Circle.

May your own Light and Love guide you.

Contents of this Page

This Introduction to the Philosophy of The Third Circle (TTC)
contains the following themes:

The supreme attainment of Self-realization

Perception and reality

Self-Source-Of-Authority

Breaking-through dogmas

The Higher Self

The human conditioning and freedom of choice

Breaking-through conditioning

Self-acceptance

Personal responsibility

Morality and behavior

The benefit of the whole

Closing remarks

Download the Philosophy Introduction -- as a text file.

An Outline Of Some Basic Concepts In The Third Circle

The supreme attainment of Self-realization

The ultimate, supreme reality and truth is inside all, inside (as well as outside) each and everyone. It is The Supreme Self which is absolute, infinite, eternal, transcendent, unbounded, all-pervading, pure existence, pure consciousness, everlasting peace. It is the un-caused cause of all causes, the unmanifest substratum of all manifest creation, the infinite source of all finite, phenomenal creation. At various traditions it is called infinity-and-nothingness, Brahman, Being (or the state of Being), Cosmic Consciousness, the impersonal God, or the godhead.

Being transcendent, or beyond, The Supreme Self cannot be known by the thinking mind, for the mind is finite, bound, temporal, while The Supreme Self is infinite, unbounded, eternal. It can be known by a direct experiential cognition, or realization. This realization of The Supreme Self is called in various traditions: Self-realization, Enlightenment, Liberation, Moksha, Awakening, Nirvana, Satori, Christ-Consciousness, Bodhi, Buddha-Consciousness. All these terms relate to the same reality, or experience, which will be called here Self-realization.

Self-realization is the ultimate and supreme attainment, the end of the road of all human endeavor, experiences, knowledge and attainments. Ultimately, all may attain it, though not necessarily in any particular lifetime. It is not mandatory to aspire Self-realization. The individual souls manifested out of the unmanifest in order to experience relative reality from an individual perspective. Therefore, aspiring to widen one's perspective of the relative universe(s), aspiring to grow in experience and knowledge of all-that-is in the manifested, relative -- is as a legitimate as aspiring Self-realization.

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Perception and reality

At Self-realization -- reality is absolute, infinite, transcendent. This is the essential nature of reality and It is being perceived as such. At the common waking state of consciousness -- reality is finite, relative and concrete. At Self-realization -- this concrete, phenomenal universe loses its concrete appearance and it is being revealed as nothing other than infinite consciousness Itself. At the common waking state of consciousness -- this concrete, phenomenal universe is very real and concrete. At Self-realization -- this apparent universe is but waves in consciousness.

Therefore, one's reality is being determined and validated by one's perception, or perspective, or consciousness. When one's perception is infinite -- one's actual reality is infinite, transcendent. When one's perception is finite and bounded -- one's actual reality is finite, concrete and bounded. Thus, it is our perception of reality which validates our reality, which determines the nature of reality to the perceiver.

We know reality and its nature by perceiving it. Reality outside a perception of it is meaningless and useless -- there is no way to relate to an unperceived reality, there is no way to know whether there is a reality outside our perception, or what may be the nature of such a possible reality.

This is the main reason for TTC dealing with perception, perspective and conscious experiences, rather than beliefs and un-substantiated notions and ideas. TTC is aiming at experiential knowledge of the true nature of reality, relative and absolute. Philosophies, theories and intellectual understanding are relevant here as means to aid and facilitate self-exploration and experiential knowledge -- not as mere mental exercises for its own sake.

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Self-Source-Of-Authority

From the observation that it's one's own actual consciousness, or perception, or perspective, which determines and validates reality, stems a stand of Self-Source-Of-Authority (SSOA). The stand of Self-Source-Of-Authority (SSOA) is acknowledging that everything is, ultimately, up to the individual. Since one's own perception of reality validates one's reality -- eventually one's reality is the individual's making and the individual's responsibility.

The fact that all is, eventually, the individual's making, is somewhat intricate and deep reality. It may not be easy, or fast, to grasp its full meaning, implications and applications at first glimpse. Actually knowing it, its mechanism and implications, may take time and self-study.

SSOA doesn't mean that we are not to read, listen and learn from others. Everything is open to all, everything may, potentially, serve us. It means that whatever one is reading, listening to or learning, the way it is being processed and assimilated is up to the individual -- it is up to the individual's mind, perception and consciousness.

When we hear, read and study out of SSOA, we may get off giving our own power away to a teacher or to a teaching. Thus, a study may increase our connectedness with our own power and with the unbounded ocean of peace, truth and wisdom lying in the silent chambers of our heart.

SSOA is also an intricate and deep reality which may take time and self-study to really know it and its implications. At the beginning stages one would better be cautious not to let one's ego take over the notion of SSOA -- by the ego assuming that it is it, the ego, which is one's source-of-authority. To avoid the ego taking over authority to itself, it is advised to first look at SSOA as mainly self-responsibility.

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Breaking-through dogmas

One ramification of the fact that the universe we live in is relative, and of the stand of SSOA, is that there are no set rules applicable to all people at all times under all circumstances. It is up to each and every one of us to choose and take responsibility for all our choices and their consequences.

Therefore, the ideas, observations and philosophy presented by TTC are not meant to be taken at face value, or to be believed in. TTC encourages all to create an opening, each for oneself by oneself. TTC presents basically signposts any one may choose to explore on one's own. In TTC there are no set rules, no commandments, no set teaching or dogmas, no fixed belief system.

The truth is not in any written words, not in any prescribed dogma -- the truth, relative and absolute, is inside each and every one. TTC encourages all to look, observe and discriminate, each by oneself, each with one's own "eyes", or perception.

Sticking to set rules, dogmatic teachings, and belief systems means fixing one's perspective, not widening it. Creating an opening is being enabled by looking, observing, perceiving and discerning -- through our own "eyes", or perception -- thus breaking-through limitations of dogmatic thinking patterns.

Questions are opening up, answers are closing down.

Remark

The lack of absolute rules doesn't mean that there are no relatives rules and TTC is not saying that humans are exempt from rules and proper conduct of behavior and morality. Without accepted rules of conducted our life on Earth will be unbearable. At the same time, ultimately, one's behavior is one's responsibility, and each and every one is fully accountable for one's conduct and behavior. Concerning our behavior, it is very good to take guidance from three sources :

1.
The accepted rules of conduct of one's society, or one's religion.

2.
One's responsibility to the welfare of the whole .

3.
One's conscience .

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The Higher Self

The greatest teacher, guide, Rabbi, Master and Guru of them all is inside each and everyone -- it is each one's very own Higher Self, or soul level. All are connected, to some degree, each to one's own Higher Self. The degree of connectedness may vary from person to person and it can be enhanced and increased at will, by proper practice. Increasing our conscious connection with our Higher Self and taking guidance from one's Higher Self is one of the basic signposts indicated by TTC.

One of the best ways to connect your Higher Self is to start listening, or paying attention, to the soft voice of your own intuition, and to take guidance from your own conscience. It may take time, practice and patience, yet it is indispensable.

A good book containing useful signposts for connecting the Higher Self is "Edgar Cayce On Channeling Your Higher Self" by Henry Reed, published by Warner Books, Inc., New York.

Another great aid for connecting our Higher Self, as well as a great aid to all human endeavors, aspirations, and attainments, material and spiritual, is The Silence Meditation presented in the Web page Meditations in The Third Circle

A Web page dedicated to more details and practical signposts for working with our Higher Self and with Self-Source-Of-Authority is under preparations.

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The human conditioning and freedom of choice

As human beings we all are given certain basic inner constructs of our personality, psychology, mental and thinking patterns, behavior molds and conditioned reactions; in short -- the human conditioning. The details of these inner mechanisms may differ from one person to another, yet, the overall structure is basically very similar, common to all people. That is why we prefer to call it the human conditioning, rather than a personal conditioning.

We may actually live much of our lives out of the human conditioning. There are numerous instances when we may behave, act and react out of our personality and psychological molds. There may be numerous instances where our attitude to various aspects of life may be motivated by our mental molds and thinking patterns.

We are subjects to the human conditioning, yet, it is but one aspect of our reality -- we are not only conditioned. As human beings each and everyone of us is being given full freedom of choice. This is the basic human reality, the basic human condition, inherited by birth, or -- our God given right.

As much as our choices may stem, at times, from certain inclinations of ours, or from our conditioning -- at the same time each and every human being has a full freedom of choice. It is the freedom to choose acting out of our instinct, or out of our high ideals; the freedom to choose acting out of our behavioral molds or out of our conscience and higher aspirations.

Even when a person acts and reacts out of one's conditioning, there is choice in it -- for there is always the possibility to choose otherwise. As much as we are given to the human conditioning, we are not completely bound by it. We are not completely free from our conditioning (prior to Self-realization), yet, we are not completely bound by it. Always there is the option to exercise our freedom of choice. Even not choosing is choosing; that is -- there is a choice in not choosing to overcome our conditioning.

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Breaking-through conditioning

At Self-realization full and absolute freedom from all conditioning is attained. Prior to full and permanent Self-realization, conditioning is always there -- inevitably. Yet, even before Self-realization we are given freedom of choice -- one of the ways in which it may be executed is by breaking-through our conditioning.

TTC points out at self-study, observation and discernment. Upon learning, or getting to know, one's conditioning -- when we see, recognize and acknowledge our conditioning -- we may choose to breakthrough it. That is, we may choose to operate out of our higher ideal, out of our higher aspirations, or out of our conscience -- rather than succumb to our conditioning.

Yet, no one can be fully free, all the time, under all circumstances, from one's conditioning, prior to full and permanent Self-realization.

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Self-acceptance

Since no one can be fully free, all the time, from one's conditioning, prior to full and permanent Self-realization -- one may choose to get at self-acceptance. Self-acceptance means accepting one's lot and condition, acknowledging and accepting that one is where one is, that one is constructed the way one does. With possible acceptance of the notions of Karma and reincarnation, there is a basis for much wider and deeper self-acceptance.

One may well strive to grow and evolve in experience and knowledge, one may well have higher aspirations and ideals, yet, one may strive and aspire while accepting oneself, accepting one's condition and position as it is -- including the yet-unfulfilled desires, aspirations and ideals.

Self-acceptance is actually a realization, or recognition, or acknowledgement of one's present condition and position -- including both one's conditioning and one's free will. Both conditioning and free will have led each one of us to our present condition and position.

There is a great solace in self-acceptance.

Please bear in mind -- on one hand, high degree of self-acceptance may lead to Self-realization; on the other hand -- full and complete acceptance may be attained at Self-realization only. Thus, it may be a good measure of self-acceptance to accept the fact that one's self-acceptance may not be full and complete prior to Self-realization.

More practical signposts about self-acceptance and breaking-through the human conditioning will be found in an article and a Web page which are under preparations.

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Personal responsibility

Considering the facts that:
1. We are given freedom of choice;
2. It's our own consciousness and perception which determines and validates our reality;
-- we come at the responsibility each and every human have in one's life.

Furthermore, a possible acceptance of the notion of reincarnations and the notion that our soul chooses life's major experiences and lessons before being born -- leads to a standpoint of full responsibility, 100% responsibility, each and every human being has over one's life.

Full responsibility means that each and every human being is fully accountable for all of one's actions. The possibility that one may act, at times, out of the human conditioning, or out of conforming to accepted standards of society, or out of religious commandments, or out of the instructions of a spiritual leader -- all of these do not eliminate or alleviate one's personal responsibility and accountability for one's actions. Each and every human is fully accountable to all of one's actions -- regardless of the motivation.

It is possible that not all people are aware all the time of their responsibility, yet, personal responsibility is there -- regardless to whether one is aware of it or not, at any given moment. This is the law of Karma -- one is bound to reap what one sow.

This is yet another meaning to Self-Source-Of-Authority (SSOA) -- full power over one's life on one hand and full responsibility to one's actions on the other hand.

A possible conclusion from one's full power over one's life and one's full responsibility over one's actions could be a measure of caution when following prescribed paths, teachings and religions. This is not a recommendation to abandon all paths, teachings and religions, not at all -- it only means assuming personal responsibility even when facing external, given, rules and guidance. One may well follow any path, teaching, or religion -- only one could do so out of SSOA; that is, one may follow any path while assuming and exercising personal responsibility all along. The exact way to reconcile self-responsibility and SSOA with following a prescribed path, teaching or religion is to be found out and executed by each and every individual. Giving rules to such a reconciliation will become yet another dogma.

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Morality and behavior

Some people assume that there are levels, or degrees, in spiritual stand, or spiritual development; others argue any degrees, or levels, in spirituality. Whatever the case may be, there are definitely various amounts, or degrees, or angles, to the breadth, or openness, of perspective. The difference is between different persons and with the same person at different times. Thus, we may be interested in the breadth of our perspective, how much and how wide it may be open.

Anyhow, only the individual oneself can really know the breadth of one's perspective. Whatever the perspective's breadth may be, it cannot be measured by a person's religion, rituals, gender, age, race, skin color, clothing style, living place, marital status or occupation. It cannot be measured by whether a person is meditating or not, by whether a person is following certain practices or not, or by whether a person has a proclaimed interest in "spirituality" or not. Certain individual who is not meditating at all may have a much wider perspective than another person who may be meditating for 30 years.

As for our behavior, humanity and humans must have accepted rules of conduct. Otherwise it will not be possible to live in society, with others. It seems that the interpersonal rules of conduct of our various religions are the best guidelines there are. All sets of rules of all major, traditional, religions are good enough. We cannot see any way to bypass those rules of conduct, we cannot offer anything else as basic guidelines which are tested and proven over time and experience.

TTC is not preaching to become religious, we are only pointing out at the inevitability of the religious interpersonal rules of conduct. On the other hand, TTC is not preaching to discard other aspects of religion. TTC isn't saying anything pro or con religions in general. All we are saying is that we don't see any alternative to the religious interpersonal rules of conduct. Some may resent some dogmatic approaches by certain religions, or by certain religious ministers, yet, it's recommended not to discard the baby with the bath water -- not to abandon religious interpersonal rules of conduct because of possible resentment to some other aspects of religions, or ways religions may be presented.

Following any accepted set of rules of conduct doesn't alleviate any one from personal responsibility and accountability for one's behavior, actions and conduct, nor does it come to replace our personal conscience. Only, with all our personal responsibility and conscience, one should have proven and tested guidelines, the best of which are the religious interpersonal rules of conduct.

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The benefit of the whole

TTC is dealing with, and aiming at, opening up and widening our perspective -- the actual way we perceive reality. "Practicing" TTC, walking in the directions pointed out by its signposts, opens up our perspective, potentially (if chosen so), up to the widest possible one. The wider the perspective is, the more the individual is perceiving oneself as a part of the whole, inter-related and inter-connected to the whole. At the widest possible perspective, the benefit of an individual and the benefit of the whole converges into being one, for in this perspective there is unity of all-that-is, relative and absolute.

Focusing on one's own situation narrows the perspective. Opening one's interest and vision to the benefit of the whole, widens the perspective. The wider the perspective is, the wider an opening there is.

Intending the benefit of the whole may be added to the perception of connectedness and relatedness between the benefit of the individual and the benefit of the whole. Such an intention promotes the widening of one's perspective, perception and experience of reality. Therefore, caring for other people, caring for Mother Earth, caring and striving for peace on Earth, are integral parts of human life, of spiritual development and of TTC.

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Closing remarks

The concepts and theories of The Third Circle are based on personal experience, insights, observations, realizations, cognition and discernment. It is the truth as it is perceived by us. It may not be true, or it may not appear to be true, to some others.

The ideas, notions and theories presented here are not meant to be believed in blindly, or to be accepted at face value. They may serve as reference points for self-study, observation and discernment.

In TTC, one's own observations and insights are valued more than any given theories, philosophies, teachings and dogmas. Therefore, all are encouraged to embark on self-study, examination, observation and discernment. All readers are encouraged to research and find out for themselves -- each for oneself by oneself.

Since in the relative realms of life everything is relative and ever-changing, what may hold true at certain time, place and circumstance -- may be non-true when time, place, or circumstance changes. Therefore, not only that TTC recommends not to adhere tenaciously to external theories and teachings -- it is also recommended not to hold on tenaciously even to one's own conclusions. Ever looking afresh may bring us to new conclusions again and again. It seems best to keep on looking, ever open.

Be blessed and enjoy.

May your own Light and Love guide you.

Download the TTC Philosophy Outlines -- as a text file.

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Back to Top of the Page

Introduction -- A brief introduction to what The Third Circle is.

Meditations -- twelve very simple, easy and quite effective meditations.

Peace Circles -- an emergency call of our time.

Inspiring Quotes

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Back to The Third Circle Index Page -- the first Index Page.

All questions and comments are welcomed.
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Last updated: March 4 2005