Life and Death and all things between

Life, Death, and the Thin Veil Between Enlightenment

Our lives, the joys, the sorrows, and all the moments in between, are often seen as complete realities, yet we may only be experiencing a small fragment of a much larger, all-encompassing truth. Imagine our existence as actors on a stage, with an invisible wall—the fourth wall—separating us from the audience. In cinema, this fourth wall divides the world of fiction from the reality of the viewer. Similarly, in life, there seems to be an invisible yet pervasive boundary that separates us from the full knowledge of existence, from the light of complete enlightenment.

This boundary is not physical; it is virtual, formed by the very nature of our minds. Our brains, brilliant and complex as they are, still function within constraints—biological, psychological, and even philosophical. The mind is like a prism refracting light into countless experiences, emotions, and perceptions, giving each of us a unique window into what we call "reality." But this window, though essential, is only a partial view.

The Mind as a Limiting Box

To grasp the idea that we are limited by our minds, picture the brain as a box in which each of us lives. This box shapes how we interpret the world, defines our understanding, and establishes our reality. But here’s the catch: we are not even sure if the reality inside our box is the same for everyone else. Is the world you perceive, with its colors, shapes, and emotions, the same as mine? Or are we all experiencing fundamentally different realities, stitched together by our perceptions but separated by the walls of our minds?

The brain filters the vastness of reality, offering only fragments of what exists outside our box. Our reasoning, intuition, and imagination occasionally allow us to catch glimpses of what might lie beyond. Moments of insight, creativity, or deep meditation may crack open the walls for brief periods, allowing us to peer beyond the confines of our individual realities. Yet, these moments are fleeting and incomplete, because the nature of our minds continually pulls us back to the confines of the box we live in.

The 'mezzaluce' (half-light)

There is here a profound idea: that our limited perception, the “mezzaluce” or half-light in which we live, may not be a flaw but a feature designed to help us survive and thrive. If we had continuous and full access to the vastness of knowledge, the weight of that reality might overwhelm us. Life, then, may be an experience carefully curated to provide us with what we can manage, allowing us to navigate and grow within the confines of what is safe and comprehensible for our minds.

In this sense, the walls of our box may act as a protective boundary, shielding us from the overwhelming shock of absolute truth. Imagine the floodgates opening to reveal the full breadth of existence—all timelines, possibilities, thoughts, and emotions—rushing in at once. Our finite minds, structured to handle linear experiences and gradual realizations, might simply buckle under the enormity of it all. In this way, living in the half-light isn’t a sign of our inadequacy but a necessary condition of our survival.

Collectors of Experiences and Emotions

Perhaps, in this “mezzaluce,” we are like collectors of emotions and experiences. Each life, with its struggles, joys, and sorrows, is a journey where we gather unique pieces of the puzzle. We encounter what we can manage—what is most appropriate for our personal growth and contribution. These fragments, these moments of insight and emotion, are the pieces we bring back to the greater whole when we eventually return to the source, the One Mind aka God.

“As above, so below; as below, so above.” (The Principle of Correspondence, Kybalion)

Our non-perfection is not a flaw but a necessary condition for growth. In the lowlands of existence, we gather these experiences, learn from them, and evolve. Without our individual constraints, the experiences we collect wouldn’t be as meaningful. There is something about the way we live within limits that allows us to discover profound truths—truths that would remain hidden in the overwhelming brightness of complete enlightenment.

Critical to the Life Itself

If each of us is a unique collector of experiences, then we are not only important to our own journey but to the entire fabric of Life itself. Every individual, with their unique perspective and limitations, plays a critical role in the unfolding of existence. The One Mind, or universal consciousness, depends on the diversity of experiences gathered through billions of lives, each a unique lens through which reality is filtered.

In this way, our imperfections and limitations are not detours from the true path—they are the path. The "mezzaluce" we live in allows us to navigate a world of contrasts, of light and dark, joy and pain, ignorance and knowledge. It is these contrasts that make life rich, textured, and meaningful. When our journey in the lowlands is complete, we bring back something invaluable to the whole, something that can only be gathered in the fragmented, limited world of individual existence.

"The angels envy us because, in our half-light, we can see things they cannot. They are blinded by the full light." (from an old poem of mine)

In essence, we are contributors to the fullness of life, critical pieces in a larger puzzle that is far greater than any single life. The walls of our mind may keep us safe from the full weight of ultimate knowledge, but they also enable us to gather the experiences, emotions, and insights that enrich the One Mind. Life in the mezzaluce may be incomplete, but it is in its incompleteness that it finds its deepest meaning.

The Gift of Half-Light

This thought—that angels envy us—introduces a compelling perspective on the human condition. In our "half-light," we exist in a state of imperfection, navigating a reality that is limited, fragmented, and incomplete. Yet, it is precisely this imperfection that gives us a unique perspective on existence. Angels, by contrast, are often portrayed as beings of pure light, fully enlightened and connected to the divine, yet in their absolute knowledge, they are “abbacinated” (blinded) by the intensity of this fullness. In their complete understanding, they are unable to see what we, in our partial understanding, can perceive.

Imperfection is a blessing

In our human condition, we live within limits. We are constrained by time, space, and the boundaries of our minds. But this very state of limitation allows us to experience something angels cannot: the beauty of discovery, of growth, of struggle, and of wonder. In the half-light of our lives, we are constantly searching, reaching beyond what we know, striving for understanding. This dynamic journey—marked by moments of insight, loss, and triumph—gives us a kind of beauty and richness that may be invisible to beings who exist in the fullness of light.

Angels, in their perfect state of enlightenment, may envy us for this very reason. For them, all is known, all is seen, and all is understood. There is no mystery, no uncertainty. But in being abbacinated by this full light, they miss the nuanced shadows, the subtle contrasts that we, in our half-light, can perceive. It is in the very gaps of our understanding, in the spaces where we lack full knowledge, that we find meaning, purpose, and the drive to grow.

The Beauty of Struggle

To live in the half-light is to live in a world where contrasts define our experience: joy and sorrow, love and loss, understanding and confusion. These contrasts create depth and texture in life, much like light and shadow give depth to a painting. Angels, basking in the totality of divine light, may not experience these contrasts—they know only completion, certainty, and wholeness. But without struggle, there is no triumph; without darkness, there is no light to be cherished.

“Everything is dual; everything has poles; everything has its pair of opposites.” (The Principle of Polarity, Kybalion)

We, in our human experience, are given the gift of becoming. Humans are always in the process of becoming more. We move through phases of ignorance and discovery, loss and renewal. Each step forward, each challenge overcome, adds to the richness of our journey. In this way, the half-light we live in is not a limitation, but a profound opportunity to experience growth and transformation.

The One Mind Theory

The idea that all minds are part of a larger, interconnected whole—often referred to as the One Mind theory—suggests that the boundaries we perceive are illusory. The consciousness that we experience as separate from others is, in truth, part of a vast, unified field of awareness. The fourth wall, which keeps us from seeing the complete picture, is only temporary. Our brain, with its limitations, allows us to experience individuality and separation, but beyond that wall lies the interconnectedness of all minds, all life, and all existence.

“The All is Mind; the Universe is Mental.” (The Principle of Mentalism, Kybalion)

If our minds are indeed fragments of a single, universal consciousness, then enlightenment can be seen as the state of breaking through the walls of individual perception. It is not merely a journey toward intellectual knowledge or spiritual awareness—it is the full realization that the limits of our brain's capacity are simply temporary constraints. When we transcend those limits, the light of the One Mind illuminates everything, revealing the true, boundless nature of reality.

Living Within and Beyond the Box

For now, though, we live within our boxes, limited by our brain's constraints. Life and death, those two poles of existence, mark the boundaries of our journey, but they are only markers along a much larger continuum. Perhaps, when the moment comes and our individual consciousness dissolves, the fourth wall between us and the vast, enlightened reality will come down. In that moment, we may find that life was never just what we thought it was—it was always more, and we were always part of something much greater than we could comprehend.

But until then, we walk through life, catching glimpses, feeling brief connections to the larger whole, and seeking to understand that which lies beyond our grasp. The walls may be high, but they are not impenetrable. The mind may be limited, but it is not forever confined. Life itself is a dance between what is known and what remains just beyond reach. And perhaps, in this very tension, we find the true essence of being human.

Breaking Through the Walls: Enlightenment and the Unity of Consciousness

There is a fascinating insight, highlighting the deep connection between individual experience, relationships, and the broader metaphysical framework of reality. The idea that our minds are fragments of a single, universal consciousness adds profound meaning to the way we interact with others, especially through intimate and sensorial experiences like relationships and sex.

These interactions seem to serve a dual purpose: not only are they essential for procreation and the continuity of life, but they also act as moments where we break through the walls of our individual reality and merge, even if briefly, with someone else's.

Breaking the Barriers of Individual Reality

If our existence is fundamentally limited by our individual perceptions, relationships—and particularly the act of physical intimacy—provide a rare and powerful opportunity to transcend those boundaries. In relationships, and especially in moments of deep physical and emotional connection, we experience a form of union with another person. These are the moments when the barriers between "self" and "other" soften, if not dissolve entirely. Through touch, emotion, and the sharing of life experiences, we break through the walls of our own box and enter into a shared reality.

This act of merging realities—where two individual consciousnesses intersect—is perhaps a glimpse of the One Mind at work. It suggests that while we may live in isolated perceptual realities most of the time, the very design of life encourages moments of connection where those separations become permeable. Sensory and emotional connections with others offer us an opportunity to experience, however fleetingly, the unity that lies beyond individual consciousness.

The Significance of Procreation and the Sensory Experience

When viewed in this light, procreation takes on a deeply symbolic and metaphysical significance. It is not just a biological necessity, but a profound act of creation that arises from the merging of two separate realities.

In that moment, a new life is created—a new fragment of the universal consciousness that will, in turn, live within its own reality, experiencing the world through its unique lens.

Through the act of sex, two individuals temporarily transcend the walls of their individual minds, coming together in a sensory, biological, and emotional fusion. In that moment, a new life is created—a new fragment of the universal consciousness that will, in turn, live within its own reality, experiencing the world through its unique lens.

This act of creation through breaking barriers reflects a core principle of life itself: that existence is about the interplay between separateness and unity. Life continuously pushes us to engage with others, to connect on sensory, emotional, and intellectual levels, because through these interactions we gain glimpses of a deeper truth—that we are not entirely separate. Relationships, and especially procreation, remind us that life is not an individual experience but part of a vast interconnected web of being.

Relationships as a Reflection of the Universal Consciousness

The need for relationships and the importance of intimacy may stem from this deeper metaphysical principle. While we may live within the constraints of individual perception, life seems designed to encourage us to seek connections with others. It’s almost as if, through relationships, we are constantly invited to remember that we are part of something larger than ourselves. Each relationship—whether it's with a partner, friend, family member, or even a passing stranger—serves as an opportunity to bridge the gap between our individual realities and touch the broader, universal mind.

In the same way that enlightenment is the state of breaking through the walls of individual perception to glimpse the vastness of the One Mind, relationships offer smaller, everyday opportunities to break through those walls in more tangible, personal ways. They remind us that while we experience life as individuals, we are deeply interconnected, both biologically and spiritually. Each connection we make, each barrier we break in our relationships, is a reflection of this larger truth.

Conclusion: The Dance of Separation and Union

“Everything flows, out and in; everything has its tides.” (The Principle of Rhythm, Kybalion)

Ultimately, life seems to be a dance between separation and union, individuality and interconnectedness. We are born into individual realities, each shaped by the unique constraints of our minds, yet we are constantly drawn to connect with others. Through relationships, through sensory experiences, and through acts of creation, we step beyond the confines of our own perceptions and touch something larger.

Sex and procreation, then, are not just biological acts—they are metaphysical expressions of our desire to transcend separateness and participate in the ongoing creation of life. In breaking the barriers of our own reality to connect with another, we fulfill one of the most fundamental purposes of life: to experience, create, and continue the flow of existence that is part of the One Mind.

In this light, every relationship, every moment of connection, becomes sacred—a reminder that we are not alone in our individual realities but are part of something far greater, a universal consciousness that binds all life together.

We are both separate and connected, finite and infinite.

In living our lives, breaking through the walls of our individual realities, and connecting with others, we are participating in the grand unfolding of the One Mind. We are both separate and connected, finite and infinite. Each one of us, through our imperfect and incomplete lives, contributes to the ongoing creation of reality—a reality that is governed by the universal principles that guide all of existence.

Angelo Ovidi

REFERENCES

Please refer to my article on Sidis and the Kybalion for more info: link

APPENDIX

A quick dictionary of what I described:

The Cinematic Analogy

Imagine sitting in a darkened theater, engrossed in a film. The screen, a portal into another world, seems so real yet remains fundamentally separate from your own. There's a barrier, a fourth wall, between you and the characters, a boundary that defines the cinematic experience.

Our Cosmic Cinema

In a way, our human existence can be likened to this cinematic experience. We are spectators in a grand cosmic drama, confined to our own personal theaters. The screen, in this case, is our consciousness, a lens through which we perceive the world. However, this lens is imperfect, shaped by the limitations of our brains and the constraints of our physical existence.

The Virtual Wall

This limitation creates a virtual wall, a boundary between our perceived reality and the true nature of existence. Our brains, remarkable as they are, can only process a fraction of the information available to us. We are like beings trapped in a cave, only able to see the shadows cast by the light outside.

The One Mind Theory

The One Mind theory posits that there is a fundamental unity to all existence, a single consciousness underlying the diversity of individual experiences. This unified consciousness, often referred to as the "divine mind" or the "cosmic consciousness," is the source of all knowledge and understanding.

The Veil of Ignorance

However, our limited perception prevents us from fully comprehending this underlying unity. We are veiled by ignorance, unable to grasp the totality of reality. Our brains, products of evolution, are designed to process information in a way that is beneficial for survival, not for ultimate understanding.

The Illusion of Individuality

This limitation also leads to the illusion of individuality. We perceive ourselves as separate entities, each with our own unique experiences and perspectives. Yet, at a deeper level, we are all interconnected, parts of a larger whole. The virtual wall that separates us from the true nature of existence also obscures the interconnectedness of all beings.

The Quest for Enlightenment

The quest for enlightenment, for a deeper understanding of reality, is a journey to transcend these limitations. It involves expanding our consciousness, developing our intuition, and cultivating a sense of interconnectedness with all things. Through meditation, contemplation, and spiritual practices, we can begin to chip away at the virtual wall that separates us from the full light of consciousness.

The Illusion of Individuality

If our minds are indeed fragments of a single, universal consciousness, then the individual self is an illusion, a temporary construct created by the limitations of our perception. Enlightenment, in this context, is not about achieving a higher state of being but about realizing the true nature of our existence—that we are interconnected with all things.

Transcending Limitations

The brain, while a remarkable tool, is also a source of limitation. It filters and interprets information, creating a subjective reality that is shaped by our personal experiences and beliefs. Enlightenment involves breaking through these limitations, allowing the light of the One Mind to illuminate our consciousness. This is not a purely intellectual process but a profound realization that transcends the boundaries of our minds.

Relationships and Procreation

The concept of relationships and procreation can be understood within this framework. Humans are social creatures, driven by a deep-seated need for connection and belonging. These relationships help us to break down the walls of our individual perception, allowing us to experience the world through the eyes of others.

The Role of Sensory Experience

Sensory experience, particularly the intimate connection of sex, plays a crucial role in this process. It allows us to transcend our individual boundaries and experience a sense of unity with another person. This experience can be seen as a microcosm of enlightenment, a temporary glimpse of the interconnectedness of all things.

The Purpose of Procreation

Procreation, from this perspective, is not merely a biological imperative but a way of participating in the ongoing creation of the universe. By bringing new life into the world, we contribute to the evolution of consciousness and the unfolding of the divine plan.