Understanding Opposites

One of the most basic concepts in the Universe is that of the "opposite," something that balances out something else. This balance can be achieved by two, different mechanisms, depending upon the "geodedic datum" used. A "datum" is simply a reference that we use to measure something from, typically ourselves (that guy is 5 feet away from me). It can also be a wall, line on the road, or in mathematics, a number that we consider the "middle", such as zero (additive inverses) or unity (multiplicative inverses).

For the moment, we will consider the last two: a measurement from a zero reference, that we'll call a polarity, and a measurement from unity (one), that we'll call a dichotomy.

Polarity - Cancellation

Additive inverses that result in the neutralization of both components to zero: 2 + (-2) = 0. Things that are polarized work to neutralize (remove) opposite aspects--they cancel each other out.

Dichotomy - Balance

Multiplicative inverses that result in Unity: 2/1 x 1/2 = 1. Things that are a dichotomy resolve to harmony (unity)--a balance.

Reciprocal Relations

The Reciprocal System of theory (RS) is a little-known system of physics, chemistry and astronomy created by Dewey B. Larson back in the 1950s. It is one of the few theories that recognizes that there are two kinds of opposites, and that one is connected to the other in an interesting fashion, which depends on your perspective. What is different about the Reciprocal System is that Larson starts out with UNITY, then works down to ZERO. Other systems simply assume the observer is always the "zero" center of the Universe.

A polarity is the first derivative of a dichotomy. This also holds true for the Reciprocal System concepts of "speed" (dichotomy) and "displacement" (polarity).

Start with the initial Unity: 1 = 1/1. To create a deviation from Unity, either the numerator or denominator must change. In the RS, the amount of change is the "displacement". For example, 3/1 requires the addition of "2" to the numerator; therefore the speed is 3 but the displacement is 2.

A problem arises when just using magnitudes for displacements. Consider the speed 1/3, which requires the addition of "2" to the denominator--still a displacement of 2, as with 3/1. Another component must be added to tell to which aspect, numerator or denominator, the magnitude of displacement applies to. The common use for this is the plus and minus signs. In the Reciprocal System, a displacement in the numerator is considered negative, since Larson views all his motion systems from a temporal base (a speed is a ratio of space-numerator to time-denominator). Thus, a displacement in the denominator is positive.

Using Larson's convention, 3/1 has a displacement of -2, and 1/3 has a displacement of +2.

Polarity then becomes a measurement of relative change, whereas Dichotomy is a measurement of absolute change.

From this it can be seen that when you neutralize a polarity, the net effect is "nothing", zero. All it indicates is that there is no longer any relative change from the point of measurement. It does NOT indicate that the system has been resolved back to Unity. If you start at 5, add 2 then subtract 2, the polarity of +/-2 is neutralized, but you are still stuck at "5". It is only through dichotomy, 5/1 x 1/5 = 1, that the system can actually be resolved.

The STS/STO Polarity and Dichotomy

The service paths are commonly referred to as a polarity--people must "polarize" on to one of the pre-defined paths of service-to-self or service-to-other.

In the parlance of The Ra Material, 3^rd density is the point where this choice is made, whether you are going to be "positive", a yin-based temporal system, or "negative", a yang-based spatial system. Once you make that choice, then you have added a displacement to your personality basis for that particular type of service, and have to spend the 4^th, 5^th and 6^th densities trying to neutralize it, by interacting with the opposite service path that contains the opposite magnitude necessary to reduce the polarity back to zero.

4^th density is highly "polarized". It is seen from the displacement aspect only, with each side believing that the more entities they get on their side (the larger the magnitude of displacement), the better chance they have of "winning."

With 5^th density comes the realization that polarizing further from Unity is probably not a very good idea. What was polarity is now seen as a dichotomy, with the realization that the polarization has resulted in some rather large speeds, far from Unity.

6^th density starts the process of the reduction of dichotomy towards Unity, by reducing the displacement on BOTH service paths.

7^th density is the density of Unity, where this mess has been comprehended.

The whole process of polarization, conversion to dichotomy, then integration into Unity is primarily unconscious, and the default process for most of sentient creation. The L-race, however, circumnavigated this system by coming to the realization that polarization can be viewed immediately as dichotomy, and one can work with the absolute system of "motion" to achieve a higher degree of consciousness, without all the fuss and mess of the catalyst of polarized systems, where you are continually forced into working with your enemy to resolve polarity.

Remember, however, that ethics is a measurement of polarity--not dichotomy--a displacement from typically a socially-defined norm. From the perspective of ethics, the actions of the L-Race can seem puzzling, because they are ignoring that polarity. At times, they seem highly ethical, when their actions are in line with your service path. Other times, they seem highly unethical, because they have aligned with the opposite path. The point is, when dealing with the L-race, you cannot allow personal polarity (ethics) to become judgmental. They are working outside that system.