How To Study Metaphysics

The feedback loop of science - an excellent way to study metaphysics. Drawing by Shane Larson, wordpress, Write Science

Learning how to study metaphysics is a process of ever expanding consciousness and self awareness. Although we might begin by reading books and listening to lectures, ultimately we must turn to our own personal life experience and perceptions to understand how our mind works, and what the nature of physical reality truly is.

I once heard a TedX lecturer say that "science is a verb". It is a process. Something that we do.

When I heard that I thought, "that's what metaphysics is!" Metaphysics is not a body of knowledge that must be studied and memorized.

Metaphysics IS the study of the nature of reality. It is the process by which we come to an understanding of how things work, and from that understanding make choices about what we want to think, feel and do to make the most of our own experience of life and the world.

Metaphysics is a science. To study it we must do more than read books and listen to what others have to say about it.

The scientific method involves observation of nature, asking questions, forming ideas or hypotheses about how things work, creating tests and gathering evidence that will either support or reject the idea, and then applying what we learn. Metaphysics observes the world and human behavior and asks questions such as, "Who are we? Why are we here? Is there a God or Creator of all of this? Is there a reason or purpose for any of it? What is the nature of good and evil?" And so on.

For centuries humans have attempted to answer these questions with religion, philosophy, spirituality and science. But the ultimate challenges and obstacles remain: How can the observer step outside of himself, herself, or the world in order to take an objective look at what is going on?

In other words, is it even possible to study metaphysics?

We may never be able to step outside of our own mind and look back upon it to see what it is like. But we can, if we try, delve deep into our own mind to "see" or experience what it is made of.

The first thing most of us notice when we observe the workings of the mind are thoughts.

The mind seems to be filled with them. Constantly forming, moving in and out of our awareness, causing all kinds of disturbances, and sometimes happiness and peace. Although, if we pay close attention, we find that the moments we feel happiness or joy and peace is when the thoughts seem to vanish from our mind.

Try it right now. Think of something that makes you feel happy or peaceful. When the feeling arrives, notice what you are thinking. Nothing, right? The mind is empty! Then notice how, as soon as thoughts resume, you start to feel stressed.

What's actually happening is your attention is shifting from the "head" - or thinking - to the "heart" - or feeling. Both are necessary, of course. But thinking is a stressful activity that keeps us in the head, while feeling is effortless and keeps us in the heart.

When we meditate we allow thoughts to flow freely through the mind, without attaching our attention to any of them. This allows us to feel the peace and connection to Source that is possible through the heart. The heart itself is not the source of peace and happiness, just as the brain is not the source of our thoughts. These are the organs of the human mind that enable us to perceive these things in a physical fashion.

So far, we have observed that the human mind contains thoughts and feelings. From here we can hypothesize what the role of these thoughts and feelings might be, and how we might have an influence upon them to affect our personal life experience.

But what about the observer? What about the mind that is holding these thoughts and feelings? Is it possible to observe and make hypotheses about these?

This is where spiritual practice is useful. We already mentioned meditation, the time-honored standard for increasing self awareness and expanding consciousness. But there are many more.

Some people use activities like yoga and feng shui to increase awareness. Also sports, art and music are effective. Tools and techniques like the Silva Method, the Headless Way, Remote viewing and Influencing, and listening to sounds that put the mind into alpha or delta mode can bring about experiences that expand consciousness and awareness.

My favorite methods of exploration involve integrating the head and the heart to access spirit and connect to infinite Source. In my personal experience, connecting to Source has enabled me to step outside of myself and see who I am. With repeated practice, I have found it is possible to study metaphysics using these techniques, and gain insight into the Big Questions.

If you are interested in learning about what I do, I invite you to join the Foundation for Creating A Mind With Heart (it's free) and get a free ebook and other resources to get started.

A word of caution: Integrating head and heart and connecting to Source is no guarantee that you will be instantly enlightened, or that your physical life experience will improve in any way. You still have free will, and must make choices and take actions to shape your own life. No one and nothing can do that for you.

But if you would like to know more about who you really are, and have access to knowledge and information that can help you make better decisions and choose better actions, then join the Foundation and start Creating A Mind With Heart now for free!

It is possible to study metaphysics, and the knowledge you gain can have a huge positive impact on your life!

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