22
October 2025
What
is Real? Part II
Kings
and Kingdoms, Pawns and Puppets
What
appears to us to be real and true is often – if not
always – far from what we imagine to be so. Imagine
is an appropriate word here because our personal and
collective minds spend much time and energy using
“creative imagination” to produce the worlds which
we experience and perceive.
But, imagination can take us only so far in the exploration to lead us to Reality.
Imagination only brings forth shadows of the Real Thing – the Real World – which few of our fellow humans have been able to KNOW.
We live our lives governed by Incorrect Knowledge. Correct Knowledge requires going beyond our five senses and even the sixth sense of Mind. As mentioned in our previous essay referring to the writings of Patanjali, Correct Knowledge is one of the five attributes of mind. But, Incorrect Knowledge along with Imagination, Passivity, and Memory largely control our lives and our worlds.
Real Causes and True Meanings are hidden from our myopic vision and shifting senses. Our Minds are governed by our emotions and focus on signs and symptoms, effects and events. The physical world which by far encloses the largest part of our interest is passing and transient, effect and not principle. We are so distracted by the Outer Stage of life that we almost entirely ignore the Inner World.
The outer world is from several angles relatively unprincipled. Not in a corrupt way, but in a strategic way. What happens in and through us is empowered and effected by forces largely beyond our control. At best, we can learn to tune in to and align with the Real and Persisting Powers-That-Be as suggested in an earlier essay on The World is a Stage.
The writer is reminded of a brief interchange with a school age youngster many years ago. One day he returned from elementary school. Feeling his oats and surely drawing on some conversation at school, he boldly announced, “Robert, you have no future.”
I quickly responded, “Johnathon, you do not exist.”
We are not what we appear to be – we are much less as well as much more, being deluded into limited thinking and living. We live and move and have our being as cells in the body of a Being far beyond our weak imaginings.
From another perspective, our physical, material existence is akin to the shining of light through film upon a movie screen to give the illusion of action and drama. We viewers are often so taken by the experience that we may for times be absorbed and become part of the motion picture adventure. We can learn from such experiences, but they are “merely” physical – thus passing and unreal.
Our physical experiences pass ever so quickly. Reality is much more than meets the eye and is measurable by the reigning Church of Science.
We think we know and yet we Really know so little. After eons on the planet and centuries of scientific endeavor, we still do not understand such fundamental things as
Here we can move from our collective ignorance to our own personal ignorance of
It seems natural to desire Knowledge of such important things. But, to understand and relate to Truth and Reality requires passing into a high – an exalted – state. The Real and Eternal Kingdom stands patiently waiting for us to arise and into that state of awareness. That world is fundamental and originating, pristine and pure, whole and unchanging. In effect, perfect.
To arrive at that state of awareness and being, we must become “perfect as the Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:48 And, to make that ultimate, eventual transition we must
Sooner or later, we will turn our attention to that Kingdom Within – which is quietly hidden from our common awareness. Then, like numbers of our fellows before us we shall become single-minded and realize the Kingdom in our very midst. Luke 17:21
Thence we will arrive at ultimate Truth, Beauty and Love. The Real and Eternal Kingdom stands patiently waiting for us to arise and …. In the meantime, we all walk as Prodigal Sons for eons as puppets and pirates, poets and kings – much as Frank Sinatra told us in his memorable song:
Next time, we shall talk about the race that we all run time and time again over the ages.
But, imagination can take us only so far in the exploration to lead us to Reality.
Imagination only brings forth shadows of the Real Thing – the Real World – which few of our fellow humans have been able to KNOW.
We live our lives governed by Incorrect Knowledge. Correct Knowledge requires going beyond our five senses and even the sixth sense of Mind. As mentioned in our previous essay referring to the writings of Patanjali, Correct Knowledge is one of the five attributes of mind. But, Incorrect Knowledge along with Imagination, Passivity, and Memory largely control our lives and our worlds.
Real Causes and True Meanings are hidden from our myopic vision and shifting senses. Our Minds are governed by our emotions and focus on signs and symptoms, effects and events. The physical world which by far encloses the largest part of our interest is passing and transient, effect and not principle. We are so distracted by the Outer Stage of life that we almost entirely ignore the Inner World.
The outer world is from several angles relatively unprincipled. Not in a corrupt way, but in a strategic way. What happens in and through us is empowered and effected by forces largely beyond our control. At best, we can learn to tune in to and align with the Real and Persisting Powers-That-Be as suggested in an earlier essay on The World is a Stage.
The writer is reminded of a brief interchange with a school age youngster many years ago. One day he returned from elementary school. Feeling his oats and surely drawing on some conversation at school, he boldly announced, “Robert, you have no future.”
I quickly responded, “Johnathon, you do not exist.”
We are not what we appear to be – we are much less as well as much more, being deluded into limited thinking and living. We live and move and have our being as cells in the body of a Being far beyond our weak imaginings.
From another perspective, our physical, material existence is akin to the shining of light through film upon a movie screen to give the illusion of action and drama. We viewers are often so taken by the experience that we may for times be absorbed and become part of the motion picture adventure. We can learn from such experiences, but they are “merely” physical – thus passing and unreal.
Our physical experiences pass ever so quickly. Reality is much more than meets the eye and is measurable by the reigning Church of Science.
We think we know and yet we Really know so little. After eons on the planet and centuries of scientific endeavor, we still do not understand such fundamental things as
•
The nature of fire
• How the planet revolves around the Sun
• The miracle of the birth of a child
• How humans grow and mature and age
• The wonder of a seed turning into greenery
• How man does not live by bread alone
• The Law of Karma and Reincarnation
• How the planet revolves around the Sun
• The miracle of the birth of a child
• How humans grow and mature and age
• The wonder of a seed turning into greenery
• How man does not live by bread alone
• The Law of Karma and Reincarnation
Here we can move from our collective ignorance to our own personal ignorance of
•
Our source beyond mother and father
• The reason for our own birth
• Our intended lot and fate
• The causes of significant moments and meetings in life
• Our lessons to be learned this time
• The gifts we can and should share while in body
• Our future beyond death
• The reason for our own birth
• Our intended lot and fate
• The causes of significant moments and meetings in life
• Our lessons to be learned this time
• The gifts we can and should share while in body
• Our future beyond death
It seems natural to desire Knowledge of such important things. But, to understand and relate to Truth and Reality requires passing into a high – an exalted – state. The Real and Eternal Kingdom stands patiently waiting for us to arise and into that state of awareness. That world is fundamental and originating, pristine and pure, whole and unchanging. In effect, perfect.
To arrive at that state of awareness and being, we must become “perfect as the Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:48 And, to make that ultimate, eventual transition we must
“Seek
first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness,
and all these things will be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:33
and all these things will be added unto you.”
Matthew 6:33
Sooner or later, we will turn our attention to that Kingdom Within – which is quietly hidden from our common awareness. Then, like numbers of our fellows before us we shall become single-minded and realize the Kingdom in our very midst. Luke 17:21
Thence we will arrive at ultimate Truth, Beauty and Love. The Real and Eternal Kingdom stands patiently waiting for us to arise and …. In the meantime, we all walk as Prodigal Sons for eons as puppets and pirates, poets and kings – much as Frank Sinatra told us in his memorable song:
That's
life, that's what all the people say
You're riding high in April, shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, back on top in June
I said, that's life, and as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks stompin' on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down
'Cause this fine old world, it keeps spinning around
I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out, and I know one thing
Each time I find myself flat on my face
I pick myself up and get back in the race
You're riding high in April, shot down in May
But I know I'm gonna change that tune
When I'm back on top, back on top in June
I said, that's life, and as funny as it may seem
Some people get their kicks stompin' on a dream
But I don't let it, let it get me down
'Cause this fine old world, it keeps spinning around
I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet, a pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out, and I know one thing
Each time I find myself flat on my face
I pick myself up and get back in the race
Next time, we shall talk about the race that we all run time and time again over the ages.
Comments always welcome
at theportableschool at gmail dot com.
