This is a tesseract – well, as far as we can imagine, anyway. Paradox is an inherent aspect of our world.
We live in a 3-dimensional world, but really, there are many more dimensions that we cannot see (although certain kinds of meditation can enable expanded vision and comprehension of further dimensions).
We cannot imagine even one dimension more or less than our own.
For example, we cannot visualize a 2-dimensional world consisting of only length and width, but no height.
(In other words, a wholly horizontal or side-by-side world with no vertical or up-and-down.)
The closest we can come to visualizing that is something very thin, like a sheet of paper. But even a sheet of paper still has height, however imperceptible. And certainly, we can't really imagine something beyond our 3 dimensions, like a tesseract.
Here are 2 photos of the Orion constellation, a nightly example of paradox:
We live in a 3-dimensional world, but really, there are many more dimensions that we cannot see (although certain kinds of meditation can enable expanded vision and comprehension of further dimensions).
We cannot imagine even one dimension more or less than our own.
For example, we cannot visualize a 2-dimensional world consisting of only length and width, but no height.
(In other words, a wholly horizontal or side-by-side world with no vertical or up-and-down.)
The closest we can come to visualizing that is something very thin, like a sheet of paper. But even a sheet of paper still has height, however imperceptible. And certainly, we can't really imagine something beyond our 3 dimensions, like a tesseract.
Here are 2 photos of the Orion constellation, a nightly example of paradox:
 |  Courtesy of Till Credner. Please click on photo for link. |
The Orion constellation features prominently in the Israeli sky. With the naked eye, you can see a smudgy streak below Orion's Belt.
(Orion's Belt consists of the vertical-diagonal row of three evenly spaced stars in the middle.)
In those photos, the streak south of Orion's Belt is clear and you see what looks like a small trail of stars.
(Orion's Belt consists of the vertical-diagonal row of three evenly spaced stars in the middle.)
In those photos, the streak south of Orion's Belt is clear and you see what looks like a small trail of stars.
Yet this is what that streak really looks like (kind of):
The Orion Nebula, also known as M42 (and a few other technical names consisting of numbers and capital letters)
This nebula is around 30-40 light years across. When you gaze at it, it looks tiny and you can see the whole thing, yet you are really looking at something that would take you zillions of years to traverse.
Of course, this is just one of millions of examples of paradox.
Paradox is inherent to monotheism. Only Judaism is willing to recognize paradox and make an attempt to bring a human being up to God's Level (which is impossible, but every effort is tremendously beneficial), rather than to squeeze God down into human perception.
(Even seemingly limiting descriptions of Hashem are for the purpose of elevating and expanding a person's mind by introducing Hashem's Infinity in a language that person can understand.)
Every other belief system attempts to either limit Hashem or divide Him – which I guess is the same thing, really. Or to say that because we have no perception beyond our own pathetic 3 dimensions, then He must not exist. (Boo.)
The atheist (and the polytheist, for that matter) sees exactly what the monotheist sees.
Yet instead of attempting to accept the paradoxes and see where it takes him (or her!), the atheist retreats into a deluded state in which he sees order, micro- and macro-complexities, miracles, mathematically impossible "coincidences" (or any other kinds of impossible coincidences), goodness, and meaning – yet denies the only logical reason for the existence of these realities.
The main difference between a monotheist and an atheist:
Pure monotheism is the only belief that can elevate a person to his or her full potential.
It is the only way to achieve true humility, compassion, wisdom, inner tranquility, and joy.
In other words, the Truth is the only thing that can save us.
Of course, this is just one of millions of examples of paradox.
Paradox is inherent to monotheism. Only Judaism is willing to recognize paradox and make an attempt to bring a human being up to God's Level (which is impossible, but every effort is tremendously beneficial), rather than to squeeze God down into human perception.
(Even seemingly limiting descriptions of Hashem are for the purpose of elevating and expanding a person's mind by introducing Hashem's Infinity in a language that person can understand.)
Every other belief system attempts to either limit Hashem or divide Him – which I guess is the same thing, really. Or to say that because we have no perception beyond our own pathetic 3 dimensions, then He must not exist. (Boo.)
The atheist (and the polytheist, for that matter) sees exactly what the monotheist sees.
Yet instead of attempting to accept the paradoxes and see where it takes him (or her!), the atheist retreats into a deluded state in which he sees order, micro- and macro-complexities, miracles, mathematically impossible "coincidences" (or any other kinds of impossible coincidences), goodness, and meaning – yet denies the only logical reason for the existence of these realities.
The main difference between a monotheist and an atheist:
- A monotheist must live in a state of paradox
- An atheist must live in a state of cognitive dissonance
Pure monotheism is the only belief that can elevate a person to his or her full potential.
It is the only way to achieve true humility, compassion, wisdom, inner tranquility, and joy.
In other words, the Truth is the only thing that can save us.
Another view of the Orion Nebula
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