Carl%20Sagan%20-%20The%20Demon%20Haunted%20World

Obsessed with Reality
been described by those who have experienced it as 'a
glorious Oneness'.
Then there is a little book, The Teachings of Carlos, which begins:
I AM CARLOS.
I HAVE COME TO YOU
FROM MANY PAST
INCARNATIONS.
I HAVE A GREAT LESSON TO
TEACH YOU.
LISTEN CAREFULLY.
READ CAREFULLY.
THINK CAREFULLY.
THE TRUTH IS HERE.
The first teaching asks, 'Why are we here . . .?' The answer: 'Who
can say what is the one answer? There are many answers to any
question, and all the answers are right answers. It is so. Do you see?'
The book enjoins us not to turn to the next page until we have
understood the page we are on. This is one of several factors that
makes finishing it difficult.
'Of doubters,' it reveals later, 'I can say only this: let them take
from the matter just what they wish. They end up with nothing - a
handful of space, perhaps. And what does the believer have?
EVERYTHING! All questions are answered, since all and any
answers are correct answers. And the answers are right! Argue
that, doubter.'
Or: 'Don't ask for explanations of everything. Westerners, in
particular, are always demanding long-winded descriptions of why
this, and why that. Most of what is asked is obvious. Why bother
with probing into these matters? ... By belief, all things become
true.'
The last page of the book displays a single word in large
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