Metaphysics 101 - Just What is the Study of Spirituality and Personal Evolution?

In this introduction we can only scratch the surface to the field of metaphysics in order to set a basis for our personal perspective and participation. Late in his studies, Greek philosopher Plato organized his developed material into single subject physical reality books. When these were completed, Plato had a bunch of stuff left over that just didn't fit into the physical reality topics because they were more about non-physical subjects and experiences. He considered these "leftovers" to be beyond the physical and termed them meta (Greek for beyond or after) the physical matters already codified. So metaphysical simply means beyond the physical, containing all the "stuff" that just doesn't fit into physical reality categories.

Just because something cannot be placed into accepted physical typecasting, it has nothing to do with its reality in experience. If I like the color blue, that's real to me but it doesn't fit into any of Plato's reality books. My appreciation for the color blue is outside physical reality but is still valid in experience - or metaphysical.

Webster's International Student Dictionary describes metaphysics as a (speculative) "branch of philosophy that deals with the first principles of being and knowledge and with the essential nature of reality." It is often referred to as a religion but to me is really more of a philosophy. A metaphysical belief system is one based on the first principles described, that which is beyond physical reality, more like conceptual reality. Since it is so wide-based and speculative in nature, it does not lend itself to the codification of a religion. It tends towards intellectual reasoning and I may "think metaphysically" but there really is nothing to worship or revere, no deity, no object, no ritual. I may practice my philosophy by behaving in a metaphysical (elevated consciousness) way. I term myself as a metaphysician because I don't want to be identified with a rigid set of dogma or beliefs. As a metaphysician I would be more apt to declare myself a child of the universe, one with all creation, the heir to the kingdom of first cause, a seeker on the path of wisdom, a consciousness on a journey of discovery, seeking union and reunion with "the all."

This is not a philosophy or a journey for the faint of heart as the metaphysican instinctively knows this is a journey of self-actualization. While you may share your path with others from time to time, success or completion of your journey is really all up to you. That path can get lonely as you progress as much of this internal journey requires alone time and reflection. You may have to move on much to the consternation of those who can no longer travel with you because your paths are diverging. That includes family and friends as well as teachers, co-seekers and students. Each path is unique. We occasionally have fellow travelers with whom to temporarily share a space on that path. But the path itself is unique and designed for one... you, just as each student's spiritual journey is individual, their own.

You must seek with and use the highest and best in you every day in every way. That is not always an easy task. You have some days when you are sharp and on the mark. You have other days when you are not up to par, when personal behavior or progress seems to elude you. You must keep working towards that internal goal, even if you misstep or fall back. You must provide your own internal support and motivation. Developing your spiritual self is a better way of life, but knowing and attempting that does not make it easier. When you work on the development of your spiritual self there is no guarantee that you will succeed each time you try. You must persevere. Do you want growth and progress for your consciousness? Keep working. You must earn and create your own way. If you get stuck somewhere along the way, you must unstick yourself and again move toward your goal.

To believe and to behave metaphysically, you must seek and express the highest and best within you. If you fall short, just pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and resume your journey. You learn by doing, You learn by succeeding. You learn by making a mistake. You learn as long as you are open to the learning process. If you stop being open to the learning process and you stop learning, you will probably have gone as far as you can go in this experience and can return to your spiritual essence to rest and prepare for the next part of your journey, a new path. The universe has plenty of time and paths for you to accomplish your personal evolution.

Marilyn Muir, author, "Presidents of Hope and Change: Bringing Hope to our Future by Reaching into our Astrological Past." How astrology predicts our nation's future by reaching into our past.

Jefferson, Lincoln, Kennedy, Obama... The Lineage of Hope. Using the influential and interwoven cycles of Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto to predict issues and trends up to 2012 and even beyond to 2025, Ms Muir leaves us with the clear message of hope as she depicts the future of President Obama at the helm of the USA ship of state.

Read the first 36 pages (PDF) including the charts of all four Presidents - you'll get hooked! http://www.marilynmuir.com.