Axioms revisited March 1997
On the second anniversary of the rebirth of Piers Clement and the revelation of the Axioms, it seemed
an appropriate moment to compare the situations now and then and reevaluate what is the real
significance, if any, of the Axioms.
At the time of writing down the Axioms i was alone and participating in a
(to me, and therefore, i imagined, to the world) unique experience which seemed to
give me the opportunity, even the duty, to offer it to the world. In the process of trying
to understand the experience and to offer it to the world (especially
since subscribing to the Net) i soon discovered that it was by no means unique
(except in a general way that all experience is unique). This was, like
Robinson Crusoe's discovery of the footprint in the sand, at once good
and bad news.
Taking the Axioms as something not created by me but rather received by me from a
higher spiritual (internal or external) source, i cannot deny the positive effect that they
have had on my life. It seemed reasonable to assume that they would have a similar,
albeit different, effect on the life of anyone willing to take the step of accepting such a
simplistic vision of the nature of our situation, and making some small sacrifices in the
form of life style commitments similar to those proposed by the Axioms but adapted to
their own personal situation.
The simplistic vision
Taking these two points separately, it may seem arrogant to suggest that a world-view
which can be expressed on four A4 pages could be in any sense complete, considering
the thousands of books written which have attempted to shed a scientific, religious,
philosophical or psychological light on the situation of the individual human being in the
universe. Yet despite a certain amount of study (could have been more) i have not found
any reason to modify a single word of the original text, indeed what has been discovered
has led more to a confirmation than to a denial of the principles. Some of the matters
discussed there have, of course, been researched in more detail and this is all to the
good, but the simplicity of the basic message is not thereby put in doubt. Truth should be
simple and easily comprehensible if it is to be intuitively accepted as truth. One is more
inclined, for instance, to "believe" in a proof of Fermat's Last Theorem if it was really
written on the margin of a page, rather than if it required a book 300 pages thick and
several hours of computer time to demonstrate.
The life style rules
A central theme in the Axioms is the fact that life style is very much a personal matter
and therefore no set of rules can be determined which would be appropriate to everyone.
Certain principles form the basis of the life style rules such as are proposed i.e. respect
for one's own body, respect for one's fellow humans and respect for the animal kingdom
as different but none the less deserving of respect. But it may, for example, be unwise
for a person used to an omnivorous diet to switch to a strictly vegetarian one overnight,
thus some consideration must be given to the inclinations of the person and the practical
circumstances.
Overnight changes which have survived
Though many changes in behaviour and attitudes were immediate, there is no record
of an instance where i have fallen back into the "old ways" - rather have my attitudes
been intensified in many instances. The success of these measures can in all cases be
attributed to the fact that the rules and principles, in most cases already present in some
form, are now seen to emanate from a spiritual source. Among hundreds of major and
minor changes, here the most important are listed:
- Change from "mostly vegetarian" to "strictly vegetarian" - here during the first year
exceptions were made for social reasons, but lately this is very infrequent; a practical
problem is uncertainty about the origin of various processed and/or prepared foods,
so there may be cases of being "unknowingly omnivorous" - these are accepted as
not being a significant violation of the principles involved.
- Change from "occasional alcohol" to "strict abstinence" - this was more difficult but
has been maintained, again with some exceptions during the first year.
- Fidelity to the partner - the daily half hour (or more) time together. This was
instigated unobtrusively straight away and has proved very successful. Sexual
fidelity in the strictest sense is set against the need to express love for all humanity.
- Allegiance to the group, in this case our resident community. This is accepted as
having a cohesion beyond the practical relations with the individual members, and the
quality of the relationships within the group has been a constant concern.
- Change from aggressive humanism/rationalism to a positive respect for
religions, traditional or new-age, and their followers. Recognition that we all drink from
the same source, although in some cases the waters may have become muddied
over the centuries (I returned from my rebirth proposing communal prayers before and
after meals, which surprised everyone but never became popular).
- Unwillingness to participate in activities "purely for pleasure" especially when
these are environment unfriendly (e.g. photography, air travel).
- Rejection of the possibility of psychedelics as means of obtaining a step towards
enlightenment, inspiration, altered states of consciousness or whatever. Always a
theoretical question in my case, the matter has been debated several times but the
"respect for the body" principle has gained the upper hand.
- Awareness of the symbolic and/or spiritual significance inherent in major and minor
details of daily life: synchronicities, formal occasions, important decision points, warnings,
visitations. All these things help to illuminate the fact that there is a right path for us, determined
by Spirit.
- Awareness of the possibility of spiritual guidance to avoid or overcome calamaties;
that obedience to the life style principles and respect for deceased relatives and close
friends are important conditions for appealing for this guidance; that such appeals are not
to be made for trivial reasons.
Conclusion
The Axioms are here to stay. Not as a "movement" whose continuance depends on the
support of "followers" but as an inner perception of truths which are in fact eternal.
Awareness of the Axioms cannot but have an effect on the quality of life, and this effect
cannot but be positive in the sense of leading to serenity, achievement of worthwhile aims,
health and joy. The main cost is to one's social contacts and social customs: suddenly to
cease performing rituals which were always part of one's daily life and oiled the wheels
of contact with acquaintances, will cause a lot of raised eyebrows and lead to a (temporary)
sense of isolation. But most important moments in life take place in an illusion of isolation;
and it is only an illusion, because Spirit is always there guiding one's steps. And, once
one has witnessed the truth about how things are, there is really no alternative.
PIERS
Clement
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Last updated 2 April 1997
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