The Why Of Man’s Existence (5)

Nov 3, 2016

Before anyone could finish his or her breath, the group was comfortably ensconced in Merlin’s library. While, the elders were accustomed to such transportation, the visitors found themselves in awe. Merlin remarked, “It is rather strange in the beginning, but you will be use to it soon. Sometimes, I think it is sad that you cannot have real Magick on Earth, but then, I realize your species would really mess things up.”

Tristan continued with his discourse. “There are several things, I need to share with you so that you will come to an understanding of why mankind exists on earth. First, it is a mistake to presume that the more evolutionarily advanced animals, mammals and primates, are only biological machines without any awareness of being present to their immediate environment. Such premise is easily disproved by simple and careful observations upon dogs, cats, dolphins, and higher primates. Moreover, such observation demonstrates the quality of awareness increases as the neural system expands in volume and complexity. Not different in kind, though different in degree, than the situation in newborn humans.”

“The Great Order teaches that the mental world came into being with the appearance of creatures sufficiently evolved so to attain a certain complexity of neural networks. It is thought that such mental worlds arose secondary to what, your friend Michael, has named the ‘imago operators.’ If you take time to read, our dear friend’s technical writings, you will see that the imago operators create the images we perceive in both sleep and wakefulness. They allow us to experience mental-physical events in time and space by generating a virtual copy of real space. The considered opinion of the Great Order places the first glimmers of psychic processes and psychic energies in the mammalian order–exactly, at which level is not so important.”

“As a biological creature, science is correct in stating that man has no privileged place in the physical universe with its uncountable sun, planets, and life-forms. However, the Great Order is correct in stating that man, and other undiscovered four-brain creatures, possess a duty that lower creatures need not bear. This duty is oftentimes mentioned in Sacred Literature, but generally ignored by man himself as most live still under the forces of biological evolution. This duty is accepting stewardship of the Earth and its treasures for only Man has the capacity to destroy the Earth–which is what he now is doing.”

Tristan stopped speaking for a moment so everyone could see the truth of his statement.

Ave interrupted the short silence, saying, “I remember that the very first definition, given by March Hare for the word ‘need,’ was ‘a necessary duty or obligation.’ I think you are telling us that because we have the capacity to overuse the harvest of Mother Earth so to satisfy our needs, necessary or not, we must assume the necessary duty and obligation to care for the health of our planet, just as a steward cares for an estate and a shepherd cares for his flock. Right?”

“Ave, you are absolutely correct!” replied Tristan. “Does everyone see how needs, duties, and obligations can automatically arise given the nature of the food source and the feeder? How a simple evolutionary process could result in a creature so great in intelligence and potential altruism that such creature could accept stewardship of the Earth. Though, I must admit that something more wonderful is hidden within the evolutionary process.”

“I am sure all of you are familiar with the first book of the Old Testament, Genesis. Morgana, my immortal and perfect peach, will you please open the old bible sitting on the table next to you and read Genesis 1:26 – 30 for us. I love you, honey.”

Morgana blushed just a little and opened the Bible. She began to read in the most pleasant voice anyone could imagine,

“26 And God saith, `Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the heavens, and over cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that is creeping on the earth.’

27 And God prepareth the man in His image; in the image of God He prepared him, a male and a female He prepared them.

28 And God blesseth them, and God saith to them, `Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over fish of the sea, and over fowl of the heavens, and over every living thing that is creeping upon the earth.’

29 And God saith, `Lo, I have given to you every herb sowing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which [is] the fruit of a tree sowing seed, to you it is for food;

30 and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the heavens, and to every creeping thing on the earth, in which [is] breath of life, every green herb [is] for food:’ and it is so.”

Morgana finished reading the verses and replaced the Bible on the table.

Tristan asked, “Does anyone notice anything seemingly out of place in the reading?” No one answered so Tristan continued, “When I first read this chapter, I was struck by two phrases which seemed incorrect. The first phrase ‘rule over’ occurs in verses 26 and 28; the second phrase ‘subdue it’ is found in verse 28. So I read as many different translations as I had available. Moreover, I tried my best to interrupt such phrases as meant went they were written. After much thought, I decided that after creating mankind, the Elohim gave to mankind the responsibility for cultivating the lands and the seas (old meaning of subdue) of God and taking responsible lordship, under God, for caring for the living Earth (rule over). Unfortunately, mankind misunderstood the mandate and became a Despot rather than a Lord Steward. A different path to Stewardship than seen with evolutionary theory, but both are congruent.”

“Therefore, it seems reasonable to conclude, based upon evolutionary and theological arguments, that Mankind has an inherent duty and obligation to accept responsibility for assuming the planetary role of Steward under Mother Gaia, the Living Biosphere. Those willing accept this responsibility are rewarded. For stewardship allocates the transformed energies as follows: one-third for the Biosphere, one-third for der Übergeist, and one-third for the Stewards spiritual growth.”

Abelard said, “My word, Tristan, that was a jolly good analysis. Thanks.”

Merlin arose, “Dinner is going to be served in a few minutes. You have time to tidy up in your rooms, though.” Everyone rose from their chairs and vacated the library.

TO BE CONTINUED