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Metacausal energy

By - Oct 3, 2010 - Category Conceptbox - Print Print - Version française
Metacausal energy

In brief: Metacausal energy is the energy from the Source, without which it is impossible for the human soul to overcome the imperious self and develop virtues.

Generosity, for one who is so inclined by nature or by habit, is relatively undemanding, for it does not require any costly sacrifice. It is quite another matter when ethical concern requires us to renounce a pleasure or craving, or when it runs up against a selfish nature. To overcome such resistance, willpower alone does not always suffice. When self-denial costs us something, we require the aid of a particular type of energy, one that is also known as “grace”.

This force that is capable of tearing us away from our animal automatisms and elevating us to morality is what Bahram Elahi calls “metacausal energy”. It is “metacausal” because it originates from a source that transcends the causality inherent in nature. It is also “metacausal” in terms of its effect, for it enables us to transcend the causality within us and overcome our imperious self.

In other words, the assimilation of ethical and divine principles by the self or the soul requires metacausal energy. This can be illustrated with a biological analogy: just as photosynthesis of organic matter requires solar energy, the synthesis of virtues likewise requires metacausal energy. Without this metacausal energy, our efforts to practice ethics—which is necessary for the acquisition of divine virtues—will result in the development of fragile and unstable qualities that are liable to falter at the slightest temptation.

However, unlike a plant for which the process of photosynthesis is automatic, it is possible for the human soul not to absorb a sufficient amount of metacausal energy, or any such energy for that matter. Indeed, the assimilation of this precious energy requires an active effort that consists in turning one’s attention toward the divine and establishing a mental connection to “the Source”.

This attention to the Source is not restricted to specific moments such as those in prayer, but is rather a constant effort on one’s intention. More specifically, it involves envisioning—at all times—that the Source is present at our side, as we strive to seek His satisfaction in our thoughts, words and actions. This notion of divine satisfaction, similar to a parent’s satisfaction with her children or a teacher’s satisfaction with his students, renders this abstract idea more concrete, for to progress toward spiritual perfection—whose ultimate goal is human happiness—requires adherence to ethical and divine principles.

To conclude, it should be noted that it is also possible to absorb this energy, albeit in lesser quantities, by simply acting on one’s conscience with the best of intentions and from a sense of humanity.


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10 comments

  1. Pourya Oct 04, 2010 7:35 am 1

    In my personal experience praying with the exact memorized words does not provide enough excitement to connect me to the source. Therefore, I started to talk friendly with Him as if I am talking to my most sincere friend. I suddenly realized that this kind of conversation is more effective. Sometimes, I know that I have to ask for His satisfaction but still asking solutions for common issues keeps me connected with Him.

  2. Key Oct 04, 2010 7:08 pm 2

    This is such a wonderful article! I think that mental connection to the Source is so important because when I don’t have it, there’s a feeling of being lost and confused. Once that connection is there, however, I feel more confident and alive and really believe that the Source will guide me in the best way.

  3. NT Oct 04, 2010 7:57 pm 3

    I awoke today struggling with a desire that I knew was against my ethics, but one which was so strong I thought I had no choice but to surrender to it. This article reminded me that if I turn my attention to the Source and act with his satisfaction in mind, He will provide me with the strength to overcome this desire. Great article, as always. Thanks!

  4. Blake Oct 09, 2010 7:39 pm 4

    I find, in the last paragraph of the article, a very practical, tangible and useful starting point to establish a connection with the source.

    What is difficult, is to maintain the connection at all times. Even with the knowledge of the constant availability and presence of the metacausal energy I never fail to notice my own absence, regularly, and on a daily basis. Frustrating? Yes; but instead of getting discouraged I started with a simple once a day practice, and increased the frequency periodically. To stay focused, I tracked the number of times I had committed to actively do it daily. A couple of initial results were the experience of feeling a clearer conscience followed by an elevated level of happiness.

  5. aprince Nov 07, 2010 6:16 am 5

    It is very easy to forget in our daily life to have constant attention on the source but it is very important for our soul. I think with practice and small doses in our daily activities we can accomplish this focus. I definitely am one who needs to practice this constant attention and practice it to make a habit in my daily life. I have also experienced when when we do have attention with the purest intention he (Source) also pays attention to us.

  6. PA Nov 09, 2010 11:09 pm 6

    Doing something with the intention of His satisfaction has helped me in my daily tasks to succeed and to fulfill my duties without any obstacles. As soon as I forget to think of Him while facing a challenge nothing but my pride sets in and the results of my efforts turn out to be less favorable.

    This article has clarified my personal experience; especially the first three paragraphs have helped me to deepen my understanding and to answer my question of why there is a fine line between success and failure while thinking of the Source or anything but the Source (meaning the imperious self). By thinking of Him, and therefore, transcending “the causality within us” through His divine energy, leaves us with an unthinkable success because in that moment our effort was not bound to the confines of causality.

  7. NN Dec 06, 2010 4:49 pm 7

    Keeping God in mind and trying to keep that connection with the source is very important. There are times that it’s hard not to be selfish and ask for things, but knowing that God is present in our everyday lives, is a constant way to benefit from his energy.

  8. tig Dec 08, 2010 7:00 pm 8

    @NN
    I don’t why but I’m reading your comment and it helps me so much right now. Thanks so much, I really need to keep that connection…

  9. Pb Feb 23, 2012 1:54 am 9

    Wouldn’t it be good if we could somehow measure the amount of metacausal energy we are receiving as a result of attention towards the Source?
    Perhaps the indicator is our daily level of success in overcoming our imperious self? Any ideas would be welcomed.

  10. Johnny Feb 26, 2012 7:35 am 10

    @Pb: I completely agree that it would be a good thing to measure! As mentioned in the excerpt entitled ‘Sound reason’ from Dr Elahi’s lecture – http://www.e-ostadelahi.com/eoe-en/sound-reason-excerpt-no-3-of-a-lecture-by-b-elahi-md/ – the only way to overcome the imperious self is with the help of metacausal energy, so I think you are absolutely right that the two are connected.

    If spirituality is a science, then it is beneficial to approach it with an scientific mindset and conduct experiments which help us develop greater self-knowledge and awareness. At the end of each day, you might find it useful to just briefly review your quality of attention towards the Source and how successfully you have managed to struggle against the imperious self. Furthermore, if you focus it upon a particular aspect of your life in which you notice that the imperious self tends to interfere, I think that makes it easier to obtain more concrete results from which you can learn.

    If I may highlight this with a personal experience: I recently have been doing some research for work which I have found rather time consuming and tedious, to the point that I would return home sometimes feeling frustrated and with a negative mindset. Realizing that these thoughts were under the influence of my imperious self, I tried to make more effort with my attention towards the Source, asking for help so that I might fulfil my duties more conscientiously and benefit others. By the end of the same day that I tried to improve my attention, I noted that although I still didn’t enjoy that particular aspect of work, I was able to fight off those negative feelings, to the extent that I was feeling strangely happy as a result of carrying out my duties!

    The inherent causality of my animal self would dictate that if I am doing something that I don’t enjoy, then I shouldn’t feel contented – so it became clear that those positive effects came from a Source which transcended causality. I have found that recording and reviewing such experiences has been very useful in measuring the impact of metacausal energy upon my daily life. Whatever method(s) you choose to try, I wish you every success in benefiting from His grace and overcoming the imperious self.

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