Who Are We

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By: Richard Clark
December 23, 2024

Welcome to L-I-F-E. A Blank Canvas.

With a scream, you’re thrust into a world that is vast, enigmatic, and mercilessly indifferent. Every sound, every touch, every flicker of light is strange, unfamiliar. You arrive defenseless, stripped of knowledge, blank of conscious memory, armed with nothing but the most fragile breath. This is birth. This is our entry into life. And the first thing we do? We cry!

This instinctive cry—raw, unfiltered, desperate—marks our first action, a purely animalistic reaction to existence itself. It’s not thought out or intentional but instead driven by the most basic, primal emotions. It’s a plea for survival, a signal of need, and a burst of fear, all wrapped into one sound. Our first expression in this world is neither reasoned nor deliberate; it’s a reaction rooted in our rawest lower emotions, echoing the survival impulse that forms the foundation of life itself. 

In those first raw moments, survival teeters on a delicate balance, entirely reliant on the care and presence of others. Without the warmth, guidance, and protection of parents, our chances of survival would vanish. And here lies the paradox: if humans enter life so vulnerable, how did we, as a species, endure? This “chicken and egg” dilemma pulls at our understanding of existence and evolution, posing a deeply unsettling question: how did beings so helpless survive long enough to become… us?
 

 Infancy: The Foundation of Growth - Built to Survive

Although we may appear fragile today, our early ancestors were remarkably resilient, surviving in harsh environments despite their low life expectancy. High birth rates were essential, as each child represented a crucial chance for the lineage to continue. In those early days, infants may have possessed a greater natural tolerance to the elements, which gave them an edge in surviving their unforgiving surroundings.

Another key to survival was our ancestors’ instinct to remain hidden, using environments for concealment from predators. This drive to seek shelter and their knack for scavenging became essential survival tactics—ones that humans still instinctively rely on in dire situations. Through adaptability and an instinctual need to remain unseen when necessary, early humans laid the groundwork for the survival strategies that continue to shape us today.

But what stands out most in human evolution is our unparalleled ability to adapt and grow, not only in survival skills but in technology, knowledge, and culture. Our advancement has been so rapid it almost seems as if we’ve “accelerated” beyond the typical law of gradual growth. Against all odds, we didn’t just survive—we evolved into beings capable of extraordinary innovation, as if propelled by some deeper drive to exceed what should have been possible. almost like a drive to be perfect.

This drive is relentless on how we learn for example we learn languages by listening to those around us, absorbing sounds, tones, and expressions until they start to make sense. This is no small feat—the child is essentially decoding a complex system on their own. While family members may teach a few basic words, it’s the child who pieces together an entire language, understanding structure, tone, and context, often within a year. 

What’s remarkable is that this process happens largely through observation and mimicry. Children watch, listen, and imitate, absorbing the nuances of communication simply by being immersed in it. They intuitively pick up grammar, form sentences, and eventually convey complex thoughts—all without formal instruction. It’s as if the brain is wired not only to survive but to adapt quickly, even mastering one of humanity’s most sophisticated tools: language.


Biological vs. Spiritual Purpose

In our early years, life is driven by a single, fundamental purpose: survival. Instincts push us to grow, eat, sleep, seek warmth, and protect ourselves—all essential for sustaining our bodies and ensuring the species’ continuity. These are physical imperatives, embedded in us by evolution. But as we mature, another layer of purpose emerges, often called the “spiritual self.” What exactly is this aspect of ourselves, and where does the idea of a spiritual nature come from? Most importantly, does a “spiritual self” genuinely exist, or is it simply an illusion we impose on our experiences?

There is a profound source that gives an answer to this question—the belief that our spirit is a direct gift from God Himself. This is a challenging concept to grasp because it doesn’t rest on observable, material foundations; it rests on faith. But faith, contrary to being mere hope, is a deep confidence. In this case, it’s the conviction that this statement holds truth, rooted in history and ancient texts, which elevate our faith to a point close to truth itself. Faith, then, is seen as the only true path to understanding spiritual truth, moving beyond the physical and into the divine essence we are gifted.

This view implies that the spiritual self is not an illusion; rather, it is a reflection of divine intention—a spark from the Creator that imbues us with purpose beyond mere survival. We are not simply beings of biology; we carry within us a fragment of the infinite, a potential that calls us to grow spiritually and align with something greater than ourselves. In this sense, faith becomes both the guide and the foundation of this journey, a bridge between the known world and the deeper mysteries of our existence.

To truly unpack this, we must first ask: who are we, really? Answering this question is daunting but not as impossible as it may seem. Let me explain. As biological beings, we operate within a structure that seems to split us into two distinct personalities or sets of needs—often working in tandem, but occasionally at odds.

First, there is our biological data—the instinctive, embodied knowledge held within the body. This includes everything that helps us navigate the physical world: walking, dancing, riding a bike, even the impulse to protect ourselves and seek comfort. These are learned behaviors that become embedded through repetition, turning into second nature. This data caters to our bodily needs, ensuring we survive, thrive, and adapt physically.

Then, there is mental data—the cognitive, conscious choices we make, often guided by reflection and reason. These are actions that we actively choose, driven by thought, intention, and self-awareness. This mental data is unique to each of us, formed by our experiences, beliefs, and understanding of the world. It’s what shapes our identity, values, and, ultimately, our sense of purpose.

These two types of data work in tandem, creating a kind of dual personality. One part of us responds to the biological, fulfilling the needs of our physical existence. The other part responds to the mental and spiritual, driving us to seek meaning, growth, and alignment with a higher purpose. This dual nature is why we sometimes feel pulled in different directions—toward comfort and survival on one hand and toward purpose and transcendence on the other.

Understanding this duality is essential to understanding the spiritual self. We are beings with dual purposes: to exist physically and to transcend that physical existence spiritually. The body and mind work together to support this journey, blending our biological instincts with our spiritual aspirations. Thus, while our physical self grounds us in the world, our spiritual self calls us to explore and embody something beyond it. This duality isn’t a flaw; it’s the design that allows us to fulfill both earthly and divine purposes.
 

The Importance of this Duality

In religious texts, we often find teachings that caution us about choices that could lead us astray or keep us from reaching a higher state, often symbolized by heaven. If we translate these teachings into the framework we’ve developed so far, we can see that perhaps this warning isn’t merely about avoiding physical misdeeds but rather speaks to the importance of cultivating our spiritual or mental data—what could be called the transcendent self.

Spiritual data, unlike biological data, isn’t automatic. It is something we consciously build through the choices we make, the values we embrace, and the actions we commit to with intent. This spiritual data could be considered “transcendent” because it isn’t tied to survival instincts or bodily needs. Instead, it speaks to a higher purpose, calling us to live in alignment with something beyond mere existence. If we only focus on our biological needs and ignore this mental or spiritual layer, we risk neglecting the part of us that can evolve beyond our physical limitations.

This duality implies that while our body seeks to exist and experience, our mind and spirit seek to understand and transcend. Our spiritual data is formed by conscious decisions that shape who we are on a deeper level. Every choice we make, each decision we reflect upon, adds to this spiritual self. When we actively will our actions and values into our mind to process and define, we are, in essence, building this transcendent self—a self that exists not only in the here and now but that could, in some form, persist beyond this physical existence.

Thus, if our goal is to align with this concept of a “higher self” or spiritual purpose, we must balance both aspects of our being. Biological data helps us live and survive in the world, but spiritual data—the result of our deliberate choices and reflections—is what guides us toward transcendence. This duality becomes essential because it suggests that we are not limited to what we are given at birth; we have the power to cultivate and elevate a part of ourselves that reaches beyond, a part that could, in religious terms, be considered worthy of “heaven.”

In this sense, our spiritual journey isn’t merely about existing but about evolving, about consciously creating a self that aspires to something greater. This journey requires engaging our will, refining our choices, and shaping a self that can resonate with the divine intention we believe is embedded within us. The importance of this duality is that it offers us a pathway to not only live but to transcend, becoming something more than mere biological beings.

 

Conscious Data (ConsciousData)

This Mind Data, We can call this concept "ConsciousData"—data with purpose. ConsciousData is not just stored information; it is a deliberate, intelligent pattern of storage and retrieval, uniquely shaped by our experiences, choices, and intentions. In essence, it is life’s expression of intelligent data, embodying both meaning and intentional design. Unlike basic data storage, which simply archives information, ConsciousData actively integrates and processes data, creating layers of understanding and wisdom over time.

This concept of ConsciousData can be seen in the universe itself—a grand pattern of intentional design. The universe’s structure, from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies, suggests an underlying order, a purposeful organization of data. Remarkably, this same pattern of organization appears within our minds and even within the structure of our brains. Our brain, through its ability to process ConsciousData, mirrors the universe’s larger design, functioning almost like a miniature cosmos. It organizes, stores, and retrieves data in a way that enables not just survival but the pursuit of purpose and self-awareness.

This mirroring effect—where the structure of the mind reflects the structure of the universe—implies that ConsciousData is more than a personal phenomenon. It may be a universal pattern, an inherent part of intelligent life itself. Just as the universe is a system of organized energy and matter, our minds are systems of organized thoughts and intentions. Through this alignment, ConsciousData becomes a bridge, connecting our individual consciousness with the broader, cosmic intelligence embedded within the fabric of existence.

Thus, ConsciousData is a type of “intelligent data”—information that doesn’t merely exist but interacts, evolves, and aspires. It is this pattern that makes us not just reactive beings but reflective and purposeful ones. ConsciousData transforms raw experience into structured wisdom, creating an intricate design that shapes both our individual identity and our connection to the universe.

 

The Mind

The key here is that ConsciousData can only exist in the mind. This is why, the more we use and develop the mind, the closer we move toward what we often call enlightenment—a state where we actively seek spiritual reality. In this state, we transcend basic survival needs and look beyond the material, engaging with a deeper, more purposeful layer of existence. One could say, then, that our true self is this ConsciousData stored and refined in the mind.

So, what exactly is the mind in this context? While the brain is the physical organ that processes biological data, the mind could be seen as the counterpart for our spiritual self, the space where ConsciousData resides. The mind is the seat of our spiritual identity, the home of our intentional and reflective self. Referring to metaphysical teachings, there’s a wealth of information linking energy centers within us—like chakras and the pineal gland—to higher states of awareness and spiritual perception. These teachings suggest that the mind isn’t merely a byproduct of the brain; it’s an interface for engaging with the spiritual realm.

This idea is echoed in accounts of life-after-death experiences, where individuals often describe an awareness that seems independent of the physical body. Such experiences point to a phenomenon where ConsciousData—our thoughts, choices, and essence—continues beyond physical limits. This suggests that the mind, as the processor of ConsciousData, may connect us to a dimension beyond the physical.

In this view, the mind isn’t just a repository of memories but a dynamic, energy-based system that aligns with the universe’s larger structure. Just as the chakras are believed to regulate spiritual energy, and the pineal gland is often called the “third eye” or the “seat of the soul,” the mind serves as a spiritual organ. It allows us to experience and understand realms of existence that go beyond the tangible world, aligning with what many metaphysical and spiritual traditions have long proposed.

In sum, our true self—our essence—is this ConsciousData that resides within the mind. The mind acts as a bridge, connecting our physical experiences with our spiritual reality, guiding us on a journey toward understanding not only who we are but also our place within the broader, universal design.


 

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