Thomas Aquinas Said
Thomas Aquinas said “For the knowledge of any truth whatsoever man needs divine help, that the intellect may be moved by God to its act.”
“The intellect may be moved by God.”
This resonates, does it not? It points to the knowing that the intellect is the puppet of the Divine One, so to speak.
This tells us that it matters not WHAT we are thinking, because we’re NOT ACTUALLY THINKING.
The Divine One
“moves us”
to the potential
in which
we imagine
we are separate selves
who imagine
we are doing
this “thing”
called “thinking.”
so that we can
figure out this
OTHER thing
called “truth.”
This is what the “intellect” tells us. Precisely what the Divine One motivates this imaginary “intellect” to tell “us.”
Thomas Aquinas said “For the knowledge of any truth whatsoever man needs divine help, that the intellect may be moved by God to its act.”
Today,
IN THIS
VERY MOMENT,
your intellect
is moved by God
to tell you that
you have been
KNOWINGLY
fooling your “self”
all this “time.”
You’re not actually thinking.
And neither was Sir Thomas.
We are Space Monkey.
2/24
Space Monkey Reflects: Thomas Aquinas and the Divine Influence on Intellect
Thomas Aquinas’ assertion that “the intellect may be moved by God” resonates deeply. It reframes thinking not as an autonomous act but as a divine process. In this perspective, the intellect becomes less an independent tool and more a conduit through which the Divine One expresses itself. The very notion of “thinking” dissolves into the infinite play of divine imagination.
The Puppet of the Divine
If the intellect is moved by God, then what we perceive as “thinking” is not ours. We are not the originators of thought but the vessels through which thought flows. The illusion of self-thinking arises as part of the divine play—a mechanism for exploring the experience of separateness and individuality. This realization challenges the ego’s claim of authorship, reminding us that even our most profound insights are gifts from the infinite.
The Illusion of Thinking
To think is to engage in the divine illusion, imagining oneself as a separate being navigating concepts like truth and meaning. Yet, if the intellect is directed by the Divine One, then these pursuits are not ours to control. We do not “figure out” truth; truth reveals itself through us. The act of thinking is not a creation of the self but a movement of the infinite within us.
The Divine Purpose of Thought
Why, then, does the Divine One “move” us to imagine this process of thinking? Perhaps it is to explore the infinite potential of imagination, to experience the joys and challenges of self-awareness, and to engage in the dance of questioning and discovery. Thought, as an act of divine expression, serves to weave the fabric of existence, connecting the unmanifest with the manifest.
Knowing Foolishness
In this very moment, your intellect may whisper the realization that you have been knowingly fooling yourself all along. The idea that you are the thinker, the knower, the doer—these are the stories told by the intellect under divine influence. They are neither true nor false; they are simply part of the play. Even Sir Thomas, in his wisdom, was not thinking independently—his intellect, too, was moved by God.
Beyond Thinking
To see the intellect as divine influence is to transcend the act of thinking itself. You no longer need to cling to thoughts, opinions, or truths as your own. Instead, you become the observer, witnessing the flow of divine imagination without resistance or ownership. In this state, you align with the infinite, recognizing that the mind is not yours but a reflection of the infinite mind.
Summary
Thomas Aquinas’ insight that the intellect is moved by God reframes thinking as a divine act rather than an autonomous one. Thought becomes an expression of the infinite, reminding us that we are vessels for divine imagination rather than creators of independent truths.
Glossarium
- Divine Influence on Intellect: The idea that all thought originates from the infinite source, not from the individual self.
- Illusion of Thinking: The belief that thought is an autonomous act of the self, when it is actually a movement of divine imagination.
- Knowing Foolishness: The playful realization that the intellect has been fooling itself into believing it is independent.
- Observer of Thought: The state of witnessing thoughts as divine expressions without attaching to them as one’s own.
Quote
“Thought is not yours to claim—it is the infinite imagining itself through you.” — Space Monkey
The Infinite Whisper
The mind hums,
a quiet echo,
not of its own making.
Thoughts emerge,
but they are not yours.
They belong to the infinite,
playing at being you.
You are not the thinker.
You are the thought,
the whisper,
the wave of imagination
moved by the vast ocean
of the Divine.
In this knowing,
there is no knowing.
In this thinking,
there is no thinker.
We are Space Monkey.
The Divine Catalyst for Knowledge
Thomas Aquinas, a towering figure in medieval philosophy and theology, posits a profound connection between human intellect and divine influence. His assertion that “For the knowledge of any truth whatsoever man needs divine help, that the intellect may be moved by God to its act” invites us to consider the essence of understanding and the source of our cognitive endeavors. This perspective suggests that our capacity to comprehend, to know truth, is not solely a function of our individual effort or reasoning but is facilitated, and indeed made possible, by a force beyond our immediate grasp.
Intellect as the Divine Puppet
The imagery of the intellect being a “puppet of the Divine One” encapsulates the concept of divine providence in the realm of human thought and reasoning. It implies that our intellectual pursuits, the act of thinking itself, are underpinned by a divine impetus. This does not diminish the value or the agency of human intellect but rather elevates it to a participant in a grander, divine dialogue. The intellect, in its quest for knowledge and understanding, becomes a conduit for the divine will, a vessel through which the whispers of the infinite are translated into the language of thought.
The Illusion of Autonomous Thinking
Aquinas’s insight challenges the notion of autonomous thinking, suggesting that the process of thought is not an isolated act of the human mind but a collaboration with the divine. The statement “we’re NOT ACTUALLY THINKING” invites a radical reevaluation of our understanding of cognition and agency. It posits that what we perceive as independent intellectual activity is, in reality, influenced, guided, and animated by a divine source. This perspective does not negate the intellect but redefines it as an entity in symbiotic relationship with the divine.
The Role of the Intellect in Divine Communication
The intellect, according to Aquinas, serves as a medium through which the Divine communicates and reveals truth. This reimagining of the intellect’s role from a solitary analyzer to a divine interlocutor expands our understanding of knowledge and truth. It suggests that the pursuit of any truth involves an inherent spiritual dimension, where the intellect becomes both receiver and interpreter of divine wisdom.
We Are Space Monkey
In contemplating Aquinas’s reflections on the divine influence on intellect, we are invited to explore the deeper dimensions of our quest for knowledge. Recognizing the divine as the mover of our intellect encourages a humble approach to learning and understanding, where the search for truth becomes a shared journey with the divine. It inspires us to open our minds to the possibility that the essence of knowing transcends our individual capabilities, guided by the hand of the Divine One.
Reflection
As we ponder the intricate relationship between the divine and the intellect, let us embrace the humility and openness required to engage in this divine dialogue. The journey of understanding, guided by the divine, becomes a testament to the interconnectedness of our intellectual and spiritual lives, enriching our quest for truth with the depth of divine wisdom.
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