Machines are devices that devolve humans and separate them from nature and their natural being and are a cheap substitute for true transcendence and unity with the wisdom of the world and the cosmos. Human contemplative thinking calls us back to ourselves in an experience that is qualitatively different from when we are engaged in logical analysis or problem-solving. In contemplative thinking, we enter our own interior sacred space, which is characterized by stillness and receptivity towards an inspiration transcendent of the analyzing, problem-solving mind. No machine can do this.

The true mind is in the heart, and it is only when it takes its place there that we regain our connection with the world and the cosmos. When we center ourselves in that deeper intelligence of the heart, we are also centered in our essential freedom. It is, above all, the inner quality of freedom that should guide us as we go towards a future in which it seems we shall be increasingly hemmed in on all sides by an ever more pervasive machine “intelligence” which, while purporting to serve us, ties us into ever-greater bondage.

Enjoy the special selections and images of A. E. compiled by Douglas Gabriel.

Modern science does not recognize the four elements of fire, air, water, and earth. The solid, liquid, and gaseous forms of matter are not elements. The Greek concept of nature was based on the recognition of the four elements. Somewhat as a fifth, ether was added. Aristotle said of ether: “It is that which is different from earth, water, air, and fire; it is eternal and eternally revolves in a circle.” The elements have their origin in the center, the ethers in the periphery. The former are central, the latter peripheral; the former are point-like, individual; the latter universal, comprehensive. Mathematically speaking, one could say they relate to each other like plus and minus, positive and negative.