The core of the 7-level "Evaluation Compass" in this system or philosophy is derived from a 4-term perspective of reality (what we might term "Objective Knowledge") having the quality of something "timeless" in order to establish solid metaphysical ground or epistemological footing. In a world where everything is in constant change or flux (or "evolution"), the only thing we can know with certainty are those principles outside of the process of change that remain relevant no matter the circumstance, condition or era that living beings or a human society finds itself in.
Since change is inseparable from time, a principle going beyond or staying outside of change is also a principle going beyond or staying outside of space-time. For this reason they are appropriately refered to as "timeless principles" but could also be called "unchanging principles" or similar.
Although I originally began from four timeless principles (synthesized in the formula A-Ω-X-Ω), I always wanted to expand these into 12 "timeless parameters" in order to make sure that certain nuances or conclusions arrived at would not get lost or be overlooked in the density of the core formula. The number twelve seemed to be adequate for retaining the principles in memory while still giving people something more than four principles to contemplate and chew on. However, as they were not anchored in a formula like the original four, I had trouble retaining them in my own memory in the form of a systematization and instead kept using them intuitively, which made them difficult to transmit to others.
Finally, I decided to formulate them into 10 principles instead of 12 by combining the 4 original timeless principles with 5 principles of Self-Knowledge, since that would also summarize the essence of Timeless Education. In other words, the 10 timeless principles uses the analogy of A-Ω-X-Ω combined with the five dimensions of the human being (4+5=9). In addition to this we have one more principle that points out the necessity of both timeless principles and self-knowledge in any system that attempts to be enlightened or wise (9+1=10).
1. A - Interconnection
2. Ω - Contrast
3. X - Motion
4. Ω - Analogy
5. Transition between Timeless Principles and Self-Knowledge: necessity of both
6. Consciousness
7. Intellect and concepts
8. Emotions and feelings
9. Vital energy and sensations
10. Physical body
The listing above illustrates the analogical basis for the organization or systematization of the principles that follows, in order to make them easier to remember and learn. We shall now examine these principles and give them names.
1. Interconnection.
The idea here is that anything that exists is always dependent upon and linked with something else, and that if there was no connection between things then they would not be able to have an effect on or influence one another. There would be no causality or process. In order for something to be completely disconnected from things it must stand outside of the rest of existence. But if it did so we would have no way of knowing about its existence, and we would have no reason to factor in its relevance to the workings of our existence. The idea that things are interconnected does not change and is therefore a timeless perception.
The word "interconnection" (sometimes "connectivity") remains the same from the 4-term formula and is simply the essence of unity. In order to have unity or "oneness" you need more than one thing, otherwise what you have is not unity but simply the negation or denial of everything but one thing. One thing or nothing can not be in connection or unity or oneness with something else. But with several things existing they must make up a whole, and what immediately arises is the condition of a relationship and relationships are always reciprocal.
Inseparable from this principle of Interconnection is the idea of Creational Causality and the fact that nothing can be entirely, or even moderately, free in the condition of such penetrating interconnection. Nothing is entirely its own thing but more like a medium between things or a smaller part of a bigger system. And so the main "doer" that make things happen is a complex process of causality that is partly mechanical, partly "alive" and reactive, and (to a much lesser degree) also partly "conscious" but unable to do much to change things. Individual accomplishments are similarly the result of mechanical forces, accidentally endowed biological or psychological "talents," and keen conscious observation.
As such it makes very little sense for a keen observer and conscious person to take the credit for accomplishments or blame people for their failures, even though it may be emotionally very tempting to do so. Hence qualities like humility, non-blame (forgiveness to bring yourself peace), and worldviews that revolve around organization and relations instead of judgment and rejections are intimately related to being concious of the timeless principle of Interconnection. This principle also connects to the realm of Self-Knowledge in the concept of "Unfree Man."
2. Contrast.
The idea here is that everything that exists is always made up of gradations that creates seeming opposites or polarities, such as heat and cold, light and dark, sharp and blunt, hard and soft, which are required for there to be any possibility of discernment and experience. In order for something to be beyond polarity means it would also be beyond experience and thus not comprehensible without philosophy or theory. The idea that things are polarized or exist in contrasting relationships with someting else does not change and is therefore a timeless perception.
The word "contrast" (sometimes "polarity") remains the same from the 4-term formula and is another essence of unity for the same reason as Interconnection discussed above. Inseparable from this principle of Contrast is the idea of non-bias or balance that promotes greater receptivity and flexibility, as well as the possibility of valuing pain and sorrow just as much as pleasure and joy; valuing the changing of experiences and states so as not to become stagnant, rigid, contrived, or excessively partial to one particular experience in life. It extends to an acceptance of allowing and respecting even unhealthy expressions in order for the person to pass through them. It is one of the insights that supports a nourishing non-avoidance in life instead of a fixated and impoverishing avoidance.
This principle also connects to the realm of Self-Knowledge in the concept of "Polarized Man" that assist in the awareness of the human being's tendency to have their spirit or mind not fully in unity with their body.
3. Ceaseless change, no final state.
The idea here is that everything that exists is always changing, growing or deteriorating, being replaced, changing form, and "flowing like a river." There appears to be no possibility of a final, ultimate state (or end state) in eternity. Time must always flow along, and even if a permanent state were to be possible it would just be unbearable sameness, stagnation, or motionless nothingness and death. The idea that things as we can observe them are never completely still or unchanging does not change and is therefore a timeless perception.
The phrase "ceaseless change" is a reframing of the word "motion" used for the third principle in the 4-term formula. Connected with this idea is also the concept of cycles and motion very often behaving in a repeating or "returning" fashion over time. Cycles are related to the previous principle of polarity in that movement often occurs between two or more different states like a pendulum swing: winter followed by summer and then back to winter; war followed by peace and then back to war; or love followed by hate and then back to love.
With no final state or "goal" being truly possible or even the point of existence, the only logical remaining purpose or aim is to be present to a continuous stream of ceaseless experiences. It therefore also makes more sense to focus on experiencing reality directly rather than through the filter of some mentally constructed worldview. This experience of reality can involve playing with concepts in the mind (because concepts and ideas are also part of reality at the psychological level), but those concepts or ideas should not end in something too rigid that will prevent healthy receptivity. This principle also connects to the realm of Self-Knowledge in the concept of "Temporary Man."
4. Analogy, relationship, energy-exchange.
The idea here is that everything that exists is always an effect springing from a limited number of fundamental laws, which in turn makes the effects resemble these laws or qualities but on cruder and cruder scales as they manifest in lower and lower levels of "material" existence. For example, magnetic attraction in electromagnetism resembles the attraction between the higher and lower mind in the psyche, which in turn resembles the attraction between male and female sexes in the animal kingdom. The recurrence of chaos and order is reflected both in the psyche of the individual as well as within human society. This idea that things resemble each other at different scales or phenomena does not change and is therefore a timeless perception.
The word "analogy" remains the same from the 4-term formula, but I emphasize here also the idea of energy-exchange or mutual support, which is a return to the first principle of Interconnection but with additional meaning. Furthermore, in order to manifest space-time properties and energies the three terms above transitions into "systems of nine" that can be superimposed onto any manifest realm with corresponding laws or qualities. Because of this, the principle of Analogy can also be called the principle of "correspondence." Many factors are required for the running of an organism or natural systems, and in analysis or considerations this should not be reduced to less than nine factors to keep in mind. This will prevent oversimplifications when interpreting reality or situations.
This principle also connects to the realm of Self-Knowledge in the concept of "Masked Man" that represent cultural and partial reflections of hidden psychosis-hylomorphisms or natural energy-factors that assist in the awareness of typological complexity in the human species beyond simply "men and women," "Alpha and Beta," "White, Black, Brown and Asian," or "Upper, middle and working class."
5. Emphasis on Timeless Principles and Self-Knowledge.
Given that the timeless principles we have covered, as well as the principles of self-knowledge we will cover next, are obviously essential, it makes sense to look for them when evaluating and orienting ourselves among various cultural, spiritual and ideological teachings. If they are missing or are only partly present then we have to ask whether or not we have really come across wisdom or just fantasies, subjectivity, or non-essential partial possibilities.
Also note that emphasis on Self-Knowledge is not only referring to intellectual knowledge but also and primarily to the experience of oneself, of all of one's "parts," and thus having integration. We can also think of this as real responsibility and morality in that it promotes consciousness where it is most essential for human functionality and health (whether it be on the individual level or on the societal level) while trivialization or suppression of Self-Knowledge leads to a dysfunctionality where people neither understand the needs and functions of their own "vehicles" nor are they able or allowed to speak the truth about themselves. If Self-Knowledge is not valued then human beings are not valued for themselves, only as a means to an end (and, as we have covered, there can never be a permanent end).
Self-Knowledge is thus something that is a timeless concern since the phenomenon of consciousness only seems to express itself through living beings, and it is because of consciousness that we even have life and concerns. It is also profoundly practical to know both yourself and other people instead of having merely assumptions, theories, confusions and imaginations. Especially when people pose for us both the greatest joys and the greatest frustrations.
6. Non-Attached awareness.
Regardless of what ideas we have about human nature, human diversity, or human evolution, there is one aspect of every human being that is never different and never changes: the core of our consciousness; the "knower" behind our thoughts, memories, feelings, sensations, actions, and other manifestations. This deeper or fundamental "Self" or self-awareness is not possible to even describe properly as a something and yet this "no-thing" appears to be the closest thing to a "True Self" since everything else is a continuous process or stream of change that does not remain permanent.
The phrase "Non-Attached awareness" is used here instead of simply consciousness or "Timeless Man" to emphasize the actual quality and usefulness of this insight in promoting non-attachment, non-identification, receptivity, joy-in-everything, bliss-in-everything, peace-in-everything, and other aims of spiritual practice. It is also connected with the development of free will (as opposed to automatic reactions) and self-control which is essential to develop the quality of compassion or loving-kindness since these qualities usually do not exist in people when they are really needed.
7. Wisdom Compass, epistemology, transmission competence.
Another common feature of human beings is that we are endowed with intelligence and the capacity to come up with logical deductions and conceptualizations. This is the basis of creativity and the development of a beneficial culture that can function in accordance with reality. It is therefore important that the question of reasoning is addressed, and that trivializing learning is the equivalent of trivializing feelings, self-expression, and bodily needs. A living being that is endowed with something is naturally intended by nature to use it, not reject it. Furthermore, the realm of thinking and conceptualizing is that part of our nature that most directly connects with something like Timeless Principles (and thus the idea of Timeless Education itself) so that we can orient ourselves.
The phrase "Wisdom Compass" is used here instead of simply "Valuing intellect" to emphasize the actual quality and usefulness of the intellect in promoting proper epistemological foundations (instead of conditioned assumptions or pure inventions), and also the capacity to transmit this stable philosophical ground or understanding beyond the superficiality of words and terms. While creativity and the development of new ideas are welcome as a form of "doing" and healthy self-expression at the level of Sapientiam-energy, it is also important to develop a capacity for discernment or organization to prevent problems such as the mixing of incompatible ideas, lack of consistency, or the promotion of less important (or even bad) ideas over more essential ones.
8. Unconditional Love as manifestation of Will.
A third common feature of human beings is the presence of emotions and feelings; a sensitivity or anxiousness that can torture us and make us depressed or hostile, but also give us great capacity for enthusiasm, loving-kindness and social cooperation. The intellect and false ideas (ideologies) often get most of the blame for human problems, along with "selfish, animal desires." But it is actually the fearful and hurt emotional level that is the cause of the majority of bad ideas and selfish motivations. Although it is true that the ideas and beliefs we have also influence how we feel and react when these beliefs are challenged, it is perhaps even more common that we simply use our intellect to rationalize our feelings and emotional needs. Hence the great resistance most people seem to have to logical arguments and impartial reasoning.
The phrase "Unconditional Love as manifestation of Will" is used here instead of simply "Valuing love and compassion" to emphasize that the quality of real compassion or love is dependent on self-control and awareness in the sphere of emotions and cannot be left up to how you simply happen to feel or to some routine duty (since habitual work can still be done with negative inner feelings or without feeling anything at all). They must be an act of will, and to have will is to have the capacity to do something you would normally not do, and, along with understanding, perhaps also to feel something you would normally not feel. This is the basis for even having a concept such as "unconditional love" which differs very little in essence from non-manipulation, attention/interest and presence (since it is also difficult to feel loved by people who are distant), and being more competent in human relationships.
And just as the higher conscious level of non-attached awareness is needed to engage with people in a competent way, so too is the lowest physical level of bodily pleasures and helping people survive needed to have love mean anything. A person who does not take joy in other people's pleasure, who may use kind words and support people selectively but does not support policies that provide the majority of people with what they need to survive, can not be regarded as having the quality of love or even true emotional health. And people who trivializes the need for compassion or advocates "though love" have no right to complain if they are ever treated badly. The role of love, kindness, compassion, and so forth, is essentially to facilitate functionality among human beings in society. There is, however, a limit to how much help and presence can be expected of a developed person since no single individual can be at service to everyone.
9. Self-Expression and Authenticity.
A fourth common feature of human beings is a basic life-force with sensations and active energy. Self-expression is revelant also at the intellectual and emotional level, but those levels are more prone to influences from the outside and thus to imitation, conditioning, and inauthenticity. The most pure dimension of authenticity with the feeling of substance and aliveness in self-expression exist at the level of vital energy. This is the energy that give children their aliveness and purity before this energy is repressed and disciplined by society into a not-so-authentic conformity based on fear and conditional love. And along with this repressed authenticity is also a loss of truth since authenticity and truth goes together.
Thus the phrase "Self-Expression and Authenticity" is used here instead of simply "Valuing vital energy" to emphasize the role of this energy in raising awareness, substance, and consciousness. The result can also make us appreciate children more, including our own inner child and the role of play, instead of trying to mold people into some narrow purpose or valuing people only based on some cold, utilitarian "usefulness," which is the mentality that created slavery, child-labor, and exploitation.
Authenticity is also a pre-requisite for real relationships, since no satisfying connection can be established with a social mask, with an ideal image, or with a person hiding behind obedient conformity. In such an atmosphere there is no ease or inner peace, no depth, no realness, no heart-to-heart, and no sense of freedom. Instead there is social anxiety or even paranoia, superficiality, falseness, contrivance, and a feeling of imprisonment or castration. As such we can understand that a large part of unconsciousness, unhappiness, pathology and resulting selfishness is the result of inhibited natural impulses rather than the free reign of "animal desires." We could also say that true self-acceptance only reveals itself in the willingness to experience ourselves through the expression of our energies, while anything else is avoidance or substitute at the heart of self-rejection.
10. Non-Avoidance, engagement
Finally, the fifth common feature of human beings is the physical body that requires continuous maintenance at the most "material" level of the space-time world. Even the recognition that material reality is not truly "real," whether in the sense of quantum physics or psychedelic and spiritual exploration, does not change the fact that we can't escape this reality while being alive. There is no evidence that anyone has transcended their need for food and physical health and still be able to keep their bodies working, which is essential for having the time to focus on personal development.
And by not addressing the survival issue the result is a lack of good ideas for organizing society, politics and the economy within spiritual traditions. Instead the dimension of survival is mostly left up to people who have an exploitative "material" mentality, often leaving ordinary citizens miserable while "spiritual" people either ride on their own personal success and wealth (they often come from rich or middle class families) or become dependent on other people's charity, all the while being useless preachers of "reality is illusion" which mostly reach people who are bored of existence because of their material wealth and thus can afford to trivialize it.
The phrase "Non-Avoidance" or "engagement" is used here to emphasize the idea that we cannot truly escape our predicament or cosmic situation, we can only fix our attitude about it. We have to play the game, because, illusion or not, it seems that engaging with the world as if it is real is somehow the point. Hence we need to have a certain seriousness about and reverence also for the worldly and mundane. Because, if another condition or reality is preferable, then why is that not our reality or situation? Things are meant to be what they are because, one way or the other, things arising in nature (even illusions) belong to nature and fulfills a purpose. If there is a God, why would it not create a perfect universe a long time ago? Maybe this world of continuous change and even illusion is precisely what perfection looks like, to prevent stagnation, predictable omniscience and boredom.
We have no reason to trust an aim, meaning or purpose that goes against the larger cosmic condition we are in, especially if we cannot confirm that another aim or purpose is even possible. That goes double for a meaning or purpose that aims at an end state. This is not the same as a Darwinian-like appeal to nature, since the human mind and its natural capacity for creativity and invention already transcends the world of visible nature and animals, but is still within the realm of the larger cosmic or existential condition. There could be more to existence than our visible "material" existence, but this cannot be improved upon by some kind of super-yoga or rejection of ourselves and the visible world we currently find ourselves in. It makes no sense when looking at the Timeless Principles we've established in this list.
Thus we need to pay attention to whether or not a teaching or idea has an interest in improving society in order to facilitate the development of conscious people. If it only points out the nature of things beyond a veil of illusion, then it is an incomplete teaching, rife for potential abuse and nihilism. And if the main purpose of pointing out the unreality of our lives is to make us passive to our social status or predicament, then the teaching reeks of potential exploitation and "spiritual" authoritarian control. After all, what better way to control people than the encouragement to remove their own "ego" and desires? There is a thin line here between healthy liberation from partial hang-ups that impoverishes life and the suppression or trivializing of natural and vital energies that enriches life. When talking about removing the "ego" and desires, to which of these do you refer? We need principles of discernment here, hence the importance of this last principle.
Although more principles might be added or tweaked with in the future in order to cover something that potentially have been missed, right now these basic ten principles are more than sufficient to diagnose healthy perspectives and wisdom in any survey or evaluation. The ideas here all belong to "Timelessness Consciousness" – the highest level of consciousness in Timeless Education.
And it is important to remember that you cannot evaluate something unless it is connected to a system. People seem to miss this fact when they ask me about the possibility of discovering "even higher" or "deeper" levels of reality. In order for something to even be considered "higher" or "deeper" it needs to be defined within a system or epistemology. You can, obviously, go deeper into quantum physics or whatever, but that is irrelevant to what we are evaluating since wisdom should not have to depend on the requirement of understanding every nut and bolt of the universe or remembering a bunch of past lives and so on. Since the highest level being considered here is on the subject of "timelessness" you cannot define a higher level as something other than timelessness, because that would simply be subjectivity with different values or an alternative system that is seeking something else.
The main point is one of defining value, not simply pursuing what can be known or what is possible. Many things can be possible, but that doesn't mean it is wisdom or timelessly relevant. The only way you could improve upon timelessness is to find something more timeless than these parameters that also promotes health and sanity without too much difficulty or contrivance, and I am open to that. But first you need to understand what I am talking about and why I am talking about it.
