The first, most basic type of knowledge we have is that of our own experience. I was granted an experience that provided a new first-hand perspective, a new view with more clarity and visibility, a place from which the answers to all of Life’s Persistent Questions naturally arise.

We all have our own way of conceptualizing these Higher Truths. Even more challenging is assigning words to represent them. The deepest truths do not fit easily into the constraints of language. Still, we must do our best. This, then, is a list of the First Principles as they have made themselves known to me:

• There is more to the world of human experience than just this material universe. Much more. When viewed from a more holistic perspective the material universe can appear as a small soccer field. On that field the rules of logic and mathematics and material science apply. But there is far greater world beyond the confines of those rules and that flat playing field.
• At your core is (Nameless). Call it Brahman, Shiva, God, Source, the Creator — what you call it does not matter. This is a manifestion of and a direct gateway to the Source of the Life Energy and Creative Force that drive the life process throughout the universe. This energy at your core does not die, it is not born, it is not separated from the rest, it does not originate from within this material universe. Source resides apart from this universe, unaffected by time and space.
• There is a Pattern. There is a cohesive organization to the flow of life and events in this universe. Your life experience can be greatly improved by moving with the pattern. Join the Dance.
• The Past and Future Do Not Exist as Separate Places. They are ways in which the great power of our minds, memories, and imagination are turned against us in a distraction hiding the only thing that does exist in our experience, The Present Moment.
• Our Duty is to Understand our True Nature. I almost wrote ‘purpose’ instead of ‘duty’, but it’s not a purpose. The need for purpose disappears once you understand the nature of who and what your are.