by Robert Wilkinson
A friend posted this paradox on FB along with some assumptions about God depending on whether the answer is yes or no. They invited answers, and of course that got me to thinking. Today we go into some fairly profound things about the nature of God and our own Divinity.
Can god create a stone that he cannot lift?
If he can, he is not omnipotent
If he cannot, he is not omnipotent
Omnipotence is overrated.
I didn’t post this on FB, since it’s long and would probably bore most casual readers. That said, I thought it would make for a great article here at the Cosmic Cantina. Here is my rebuttal with an explanation:
We must first define some terms, since that’s all important in discussing this paradox and its assumptions. Of course “God” creates whatever “God” wants to create. God is the power of creation itself, as it expresses in Nature, or “All-That-Is.” There is no thing that is created that is not part of Nature. There can be no thing created that is not part of “All-That-Is.”
If we are all merest specks in an ocean of Life, then to equate "God," "All-That-Is," and "Nature" isn't much of a stretch, since all three encompass All That Is. Subatomic particles to butterfly wings, the human heart to Solar Systems of Limitless Light - it's ALL "Nature," and therefore all "God."
We have been told that “God’s” attributes are Omnipotence (First Principle), Omniscience (Second Principle), and Omnipresence (Third Principle). These are the Triple Manifestations of Higher Force. Their equivalents in the Laws of Nature would be Economy of Energy, Magnetic Attraction, and Synthesis, working out through the modalities of the Initiating Force, the Stabilizing Force, and the Distributive Force. All these together and more are “God,” which truly is “All-That-Is,” working out simultaneously in a harmony on all levels of existence through the medium of Nature.
So I believe we can agree that “God” has the power to create, or else how could “All-That-Is” exist for our 5 senses and our minds? Something has been created for our contemplation, even if we have no idea what it’s really all about. And I believe we can accept that this creative force has qualities, a few of which we’ve discussed, including Omnipotence.
Now we turn to the key assumption of the paradox where we find the solution to the paradox. The key is in remembering that all aspects of “God” work simultaneously. In this case, the solution to the question of power (First Principle) lies in the nature of the Second Principle – Magnetics – and Third Principle – the Intelligence or lack thereof in such a use of power.
The challenge was one of God lifting a stone. “Lifting” is another matter entirely from Omnipotence. “Lifting something” may or may not have anything to do with whether God is Omnipotent, since “lifting” is only one manifestation of Omnipotence, and is conditioned on many variables.
“God” could create a stone that “he cannot lift,” because it would serve no purpose to use energy in uneconomic ways “lifting” that which did not need to be lifted. It would be magnetically inappropriate due to its inherent condition of creation. Therefore “God” cannot lift it because it was created perfectly not to be lifted. To “lift” that stone would be to disrupt a perfect creation. That would seem to be the only “stone that he cannot lift.”
“God” cannot lift that which “God” created to stay in its place. Think of the trillions of Stars, Solar Systems and planetary orbits in our small sector of our Galaxy, one of an infinite number of Galaxies. There is no purpose in any action, by God or Nature, to “lift” those planets and stars out of their perfect order, as they were already created in that order, and continue to be in that order, in perpetuity relative to a human life span. God is a much bigger thing than most are taught. Why should “God” meddle with that which was created not to be meddled with?
This is related to how thought forms are created, whether on God’s level or our own. Once something begins to be set into form, as it actualizes it requires a certain type of homeostasis as it moves through its life cycles until its existence is fulfilled. This is part of the science of thought form building, or precipitation of matter.
Once the life in a form is set into motion, certain stages must fulfill themselves before any new external order could work. We create many things in our lives, and if we meddle with the process before we see the wisdom or folly of such a thing, then we are sure never to know what the purpose of that creation really was.
Those things that are truly valuable in life are built carefully over a long period of time. We humans tend to have a very short attention span, and often lose interest in things that if pursued would yield a great reward down the road. That’s why concentration is said to be the prelude to meditation. We have to be able to hold our minds steady before we can detach from the chatter that goes on and see clearly what is in our “enlightened self-interest.”
That which is in our enlightened self-interest will show us wisdom, where we feel a growing sense of fulfillment rather than tedium or feeling drained. We always have the power to see where our previous thought forms have led us, and choose to move the pattern in a different direction, or break from the old pattern and try a new one.
Not all experiments in building thought forms in our lives turn out the way we hoped. But there is always wisdom to be found, even in flawed experiments. Perhaps it’s the same on the Cosmic level, and that’s why our understanding of “God,” or “All-That-Is,” evolves throughout our lives. What works for us and what doesn’t is all part of the Great Mystery, which is also the Great Work. And we’re ALL walking that walk, whether we know it or not.
As we learn how to build, consciously and with intention, experiments in creating new thoughts, feelings, and actions in our lives, we can glimpse how much power we have at our disposal, how the road to infinite love and wisdom forever opens as we walk it, and how to be intelligent in adapting to various circumstances as we live the thought forms we’ve built. Then we truly “walk with God,” since we are the grounding agents for “All-That-Is,” consciously cooperating as part of that Divine Life with every breath we take.
We are Eternal sentient sparks of Lovingly Wise Intelligence. As we live that the best we’re able, here and now, we become the agents of Omnipotence, Omniscience, and Omnipresence in our sector of the Universal Life. Then all paradox is seen in a higher Light of Oneness, since Love is the answer to all questions.
© Copyright 2012 Robert Wilkinson
Stuck in a recursive septile loop. :-)
Was the question asked by the student as student Mercury was conjunct with Saturn at 30 Libra.
Your answer combines the semantic, the logical and the metaphysical resolution of false equivalency in the question.
(Ping, Sabian for Libra 30, three mounds of knowledge on a philosopher's head!!!)
:-)
Posted by: Sagars | October 07, 2012 at 06:31 AM
Hi Sagars - Still contemplating our septile conversation. Seeing some interesting things. Feeling my way around the recursivity. Will definitely post my speculations, since it helps fill in the mystery of how those aspects work. Thanks again for the nudge in an unexpected direction, since it helps to further the compendium of knowledge around things most aren't looking at but are a very real influence in our lives on Earth.
Also, looked at the time my friend posted the Paradox on FB. It was exactly 5:33 am CDT, which was 2 minutes before Mercury entered Scorpio, so both Mercury and Saturn were at 30 Libra. And to note, 30 Libra is my IC. A "paradox" perfectly suited to my foundations!!
Posted by: Robert | October 07, 2012 at 07:07 AM
God is the Presence and Power of the Universe.
Blessed be All.
This is in my prayers every night.
Posted by: Linda Pickett | October 07, 2012 at 10:25 AM
Excellent post. The things with Paradoxes is that they usually confuse the logical plane (human logic, mostly Aristotelic logic) and the plane of reality. I know this can be argued but that is not the point. Paradoxes are there to teach us something. It is not "solving them" as a riddle that is important, but the thought stream they trigger and the way they put our "believes" and certainties to the test. The conclusion is rewarding when clarity comes as to where the "fault" of the Paradox lies. Your post is excellent in the display of those thoughts and how when properly assessed can bring so much more light and understanding than what at first appears to be the evident.
Nice exercise and post.
(Also the post on Vimayas is very interesting. Thanks)
Cheers,
Nic
Posted by: Nic | October 07, 2012 at 10:43 AM
" “God” cannot lift that which “God” created to stay in its place. Think of the trillions of Stars, Solar Systems and planetary orbits in our small sector of our Galaxy, one of an infinite number of Galaxies. There is no purpose in any action, by God or Nature, to “lift” those planets and stars out of their perfect order, as they were already created in that order, and continue to be in that order, in perpetuity relative to a human life span. God is a much bigger thing than most are taught. Why should “God” meddle with that which was created not to be meddled with?
This is related to how thought forms are created, whether on God’s level or our own. Once something begins to be set into form, as it actualizes it requires a certain type of homeostasis as it moves through its life cycles until its existence is fulfilled. This is part of the science of thought form building, or precipitation of matter.
Once the life in a form is set into motion, certain stages must fulfill themselves before any new external order could work. We create many things in our lives, and if we meddle with the process before we see the wisdom or folly of such a thing, then we are sure never to know what the purpose of that creation really was."
"But, my lord, many times you have prevented the devastation of humanity. What is to stop you from doing this again?"
Vishnu chuckled and took his beloved in his arms. "And what would we do? Cleanse the souls of those who seek glory through the destruction of others? Rain fortune upon the man who is content to wallow in loathing and hatred? My love, I fear this would do no good. Many times the gods have descended to the world of men. We have brought peace and we have created conflict. In many forms I have prevented humanity's untimely destruction. As Matsya, the fish, I recovered the stolen Vedas from the demon Hayagriva, and saved humanity in the great flood. If I had not, the world of men could not exist. As Varaha the boar, I defeated Hiranyaksha and rescued Earth from the depths of the dark ocean. As Gautama, I taught many men the way of peace, knowledge and goodness. However, I do not possess the ability to countermand destiny itself, nor would I choose to if I could. For above all, I seek to preserve the principles of Dharma."
Posted by: Sagars | November 13, 2012 at 01:13 AM
So the "Dharma" of the "stone" was "not to be lifted" "for a purpose" and God would not interfere with it. :-)
Posted by: Sagars | November 13, 2012 at 01:15 AM