Amn & Theisms

Amn is the basis of all existence and non-existence. It stands beyond any paradigm the mind (Ori) can concieve. As stated in previous entries, Amn is a title, not a name. It's a term the Egyptians used, meaning "hidden", that force which like the wind, moves the flag, but is not itself visible.

Odun framed the paradigms of theism this way, and I think it's one of the most helpful things he ever taught (I am paraphrasing him, remembering as best I can):

The rational, intelligent modern man knows there is no objective, dispassionate, non-poetic proof of God/Gods. This is Atheism, and it gives rise to Objective & Verifiable Dispassionate Observation--Science.

The keen observer soon begins to recognize an eloquence in nature, themes and "signatures" and sees an underlying sacredness, a "Spirit" in all things being what they are, manifesting in each unique instance of creation...a natural symphony, if you will. Recognizing the sacred in all nature is Pantheism, and gives rise to a sense of Aesthetics.

Upon further investigation, one notices that each part of Nature is true to its own nature manfesting this Spirit: Hawks "hawk", Storms "storm". This is Polytheism, and it gives rise to Ethics.

One then observes that all this is part of one gigantic existence, that it has a single source, and this is Monotheism, and it gives rise to Politics.

Then one remembers (or comes upon for the first time) the idea of Amn, Tao, whatever...that it's a Mystery, it can't be explained or categorized, and there is much that is hidden and sublime. Moreover, that consciousness/perception/creation/art is capable of altering reality radically, indisputably, objectively. This is Henotheism (the belief in a personal god, which may change over time and at various times, without the exclusion of other gods), and it gives rise to Metaphysics.

Then one realizes with delight, that this is all illusion, that nothing of the above can be objectively proven, and it brings one back to Atheism and Science once again to begin the cycle over.

Odun said that people favor each of the viewpoints at various times, some never coming to agree with particular ones, or stubbornly holding only one viewpoint and never being able to see the others. An intelligent few are able to hold some or all views in their mind more or less at the same time, or better still, see a toolbox of useful paradigms. Metaphysics is not useful to construct a building. Atheism doesn't concern itself with art, or the definition of love.

Odun described Sabaeanism as "kata-henotheistic" but in deference to the above. I'm sure you're literate enough to recognize a "re-packaging" of "The Blind Men & The Elephant" when you see it....but I like its application to perception.

Amn, the ineffable, cannot be defined. One step back is Ori, your own head, the kunzhi namshe of the Bon. Anything further defined is a portion of that ultimate idea, a specific aspect of the Amn. Each God, Spirit, Elemental, Orisha, Irunmole, etc. is a greater or lesser "ray" or "slice" of this ultimate indefinable. Since we have great difficulty perceiving Amn, we approach aspects of it through these beings and perceptions, which are useful at various times in various ways.

Joseph Campbell once said, "If there is no meaning to existence, then we are free to give it any meaning we choose."