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Part of a series on

God

God

General approaches Agnosticism Atheism Deism Dystheism Henotheism Ignosticism Monism Monotheism Natural theology Nontheism Pandeism Panentheism Pantheism Polytheism Theism Theology Transtheism Specific conceptions Ahura Mazda Alaha Allah Amaterasu Susano-o Baal Bhagavan Demiurge . Deus Deva (Buddhism) Deva (Hinduism) God in Buddhism God in Sikhism Great Architect of the Universe Holy Spirit Holy Trinity Jesus, the Christ Krishna Monad Kami Nwa 女媧 Oneness (concept) Pangu 盤古 Shang Ti SUMMUM Supreme Being Tetragrammaton The Absolute The All Alpha and Omega The Lord Creator deity General practices Animism Esotericism Gnosis Hermeticism Metaphysics Mysticism New Age Philosophy New Thought Religion Related topics Chaos Cosmos Cosmic egg Existence God and gender God complex God the Sustainer Spiritual evolution Problem of evil Euthyphro dilemma Theodicy Transcendence This box:  •  • [ edit]

SUMMUM is the name given to the totality of existence by the Summum philosophy and represents the source from which all things emanate. Whether things be seen or unseen, objective or subjective, tangible or intangible, finite or infinite, inside or outside of space-time, SUMMUM is the essence that underlies them all and is considered to be an infinite, living mind limited by nothing and encompassing everything.^[1]

Meaning of the term

The word "summum" is Latin meaning "highest" or "greatest," ^[2] and in the context of the Summum philosophy it means "the sum total of all creation." ^[3] The Summum philosophy appears to distinguish between the names "Summum" and "SUMMUM" to the extent that the former represents a philosophy and an organization with members that espouse the philosophy, while the latter is a name that represents the infinite source of existence far above the highest flights of human comprehension and imagination.<ref name="SummumBook" />

Related titles

According to the philosophy, SUMMUM has been given many names by the numerous philosophies and religions that have existed throughout history. Terms such as "God," "Tao," "Nirvana," and "Cosmic Consciousness" are but a few of the many titles and descriptions people have assigned to it. SUMMUM is the basis for countless deities.<ref name="SummumBook" /> The Kybalion, a book purporting to be a study of the Hermetic philosophy of ancient Egypt and Greece calls SUMMUM "The All," and although The Kybalion provides a very in-depth treatise on The All, it offers no explanation as to the source of The All's existence other than to state The All has always been.^[4] The Summum philosophy goes further by explaining how SUMMUM or The All came about, and includes additional details about the nature of SUMMUM.

Creatio ex nihilo et posse

The Summum philosophy explains that before there was anything, there was Nothing, and if there was Nothing, then it must be possible for Nothing to be. If it is possible for Nothing to be, then it must be possible for Everything to be. This would have to be so, for at this point, no thing (i.e. force or condition) exists that could limit the possibilities. If all possibility exists, then it must include the possibility of Nothing, or else it would not be ALL possibility.

Summum refers to Nothing and All Possibility as the "Grand Opposites." Automatically and simultaneously, with no beginning and no end, do these Grand Opposites establish each other and, consequently, have an automatic relationship or bond with each other. The bond is such that the Grand Opposites join and break apart in an inconceivably rapid manner as they oscillate between Nothing and All Possibility. The breaking and bonding occurs infinite times within a finite moment, a kind of "cosmic copulation." This produces an infinite vibration whose result is an Infinite Living Mind, an essence which is the basis for the term "spirit," and that is SUMMUM. Thus, SUMMUM is an eternal moment of infinite vibration whose nature is the union of nothing and all possibility, and whose nature is to express the possibilities which subsequently leads to the creation of infinite universes, all held within its infinite mind.<ref name="SummumBook" /> In summary, existence comes from creation out of nothing and possibility (creatio ex nihilo et posse).

Correlation with science

Summum contends that this concept corresponds with scientific investigations into the origins of the universe.<ref name="SummumBook" />^[5] Scientists have been examining the idea that there was nothing prior to the birth of the universe, and that somehow the universe came out of nothing.^[6] In light of the Summum philosophy, the universe was not born out of nothing, but out of nothing and possibility. In addition, scientists state that at the moment of the birth of the universe, a singularity exhibiting infinite heat and density existed.<ref name="BigBangTheory" /> Science through observation has discovered that behind observable phenomena, there appears to be a corresponding vibration (String theory holds that everything in the universe is composed of tiny, fundamental strings that vibrate).^[7] Hence, that moment of infinite temperature and density can be looked upon as a result of the extreme vibration produced by the infinite interaction between Nothing and All Possibility.<ref name="Dilemma" />

See also

• The Absolute
• Absolute Infinite
• The All
• Big Bang
• Chaos
• Conceptions of God
• Cosmos
• Existence of God
• God
• Names of God
• Oneness (concept)
• Summum
• Supreme Being
• Universe

Notes

References

• About Summum. Summum. Retrieved on 2006-05-26.
• Big Bang Theory. AllAboutScience.org (2002-2006). Retrieved on 2006-05-22.
• Groleau, Rick (June 2003). The Elegant Universe: Resonance in Strings. NOVA / PBS. Retrieved on 2006-05-23.
• Mirza, Sumair; Jason Tsang (1999-2006). Latin Wordstock - Vocabulary 'S'. Classics Unveiled. Retrieved on 2006-05-22.
• Ra, Summum Bonum Amen [1975] (2004). SUMMUM: Sealed Except to the Open Mind (HTML), Salt Lake City: Summum. Retrieved on 2006-05-10. 
• Three Initiates [1912] (1940). The Kybalion (HTML), Chicago: The Yogi Publication Society. Retrieved on 2006-05-10. 

External links

• http://www.summum.us The organization and philosophy of Summum

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For other uses of Summum, see Summum (disambiguation).

Summum is a religion and philosophy that began in 1975 as a result of Claude "Corky" Nowell's encounter with beings he describes as "Summa Individuals." According to Nowell, these beings presented him with concepts regarding the nature of creation, concepts that have always existed and are continually re-introduced to humankind by advanced beings who work along the pathways of creation. As a result of his experience, Nowell founded Summum in order to share the "gift" he received with others.^[8] In 1980, as a reflection of his new found evolutionary path, he changed his name to Summum Bonum Amen Ra,^[9] but news stories indicate he goes by Corky Ra.^[10]

Basis of the philosophy

Summum's philosophy stems from what it considers to be principles of nature that cannot be accredited to any person.^[1] These principles flower in different forms and were outlined before in the writings of The Kybalion first published in 1912.^[12] But Summum, considering The Kybalion incomplete and antiquated, rewrote the book after it fell into the public domain.^[13] The new, derivative work utilized a more modern language and incorporated the new information that was presented to Ra by the Summa Individuals. Included in that information is an explanation and description of how creation came about. The rewrite resulted in a book published by Summum entitled SUMMUM: Sealed Except to the Open Mind, and it provides an outline of the group's philosophy. The basis of the philosophy is the "Grand Principle of Creation" that states, "Nothing and Possibility come in and out of bond infinite times in a finite moment." The principle of creation generates the totality of existence which the Summum philosophy refers to as "SUMMUM," and from this master principle emanate "Seven Summum Principles" known as Psychokinesis, Correspondence, Vibration, Opposition, Rhythm, Cause and Effect, and Gender.<ref name="SummumBook" />

Summum states that its teachings are the same as the teachings of Gnostic Christianity and maintains that knowledge does not come from things such as the intellect or obedience or faith, but from revelatory experience.^[14] Summum teaches the "Systematic Law of Learning" which explains that knowledge is attained through questioning and experience.^[15] According to Summum, devotion and spiritual practice leads to revelatory experience, and that was the basis of the authentic teachings of Jesus.<ref name="GnosticChristianity" />

Etymology and philosophical meaning

The word "summum" is Latin and is the neuter form of "summus" which means "highest." ^[16]

In the context of the Summum philosophy, "summum" means "the sum total of all creation." ^[3] Summum appears to distinguish between "Summum" and "SUMMUM" in that "Summum" is the name of an organization and philosophy while "SUMMUM" is a name given to the totality of existence.<ref name="SummumBook" />

Meditation

Practice of the religion involves meditation upon the aspect of creation that is within one's self. Summum believes that within all created things is an essence which is the spirit of the creator. The more one directs their attention to this indwelling spirit, the more one realizes its existence and moves along the lines of spiritual progression, developing "spiritual Psychokinesis." <ref name="SummumBook" /> It appears that there is no recognized deity per se in the philosophy, but rather that we are all part of the mind of the universe and that the universe collectively constitutes something great and worthy of study and meditation.

Nectar Publications

Summum produces "Nectar Publications" which are nectars containing alcohol and used in the meditation practices that Summum teaches. The nectars are made inside the Summum Pyramid and according to Summum are imbued with resonations that contain spiritual concepts. Summum has made a number of different types of nectars, each containing its own "message." A small amount of nectar is consumed prior to meditation, and the alcohol is said to carry the resonations across the blood-brain barrier where they are released in the brain. Perception of the nectars' effects is said to depend upon the awareness of the person using them.^[18]

Governmental authorities consider the nectars to be wine and required that Summum obtain a winery license in order to make them. Apparently, the government will not allow Summum to make the nectars in the manner Summum believes they should be made. Summum is Utah's first federally bonded winery.<ref name="nectars" /> ^[19]

Mummification

Summum practices "Modern Mummification" and "Transference" as a means to guide one's essence to a greater destination following the death of the body.^[20] Summum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation sole that was granted a religious exemption from the IRS for its mummification service.<ref name="AboutSummum" /> The service is available to anyone for spiritual reasons and is also offered for pets. Summum does request and accept donations, thereby making it probable that these mummification services are a major source of financial support.^[21] The process has been featured in programs produced by National Geographic and the British Broadcasting Corporation.^{[22] [23]}

Participants

News stories indicate there are over 250,000 followers of Summum worldwide.<ref name="APSummumStory" /> ^[24]

Summum and the Ten Commandments

Summum contends that the principles and nature of creation are continuously re-introduced to humankind by evolved beings.<ref name="SummumBook" /> The group holds that in one such case, Moses in the Old Testament was given both a "lower" and "higher" knowledge from a divine being. The lower knowledge was embodied in the more widely known Ten Commandments, while the higher was expressed in what Summum refers to as the "Seven Aphorisms." According to Summum, when Moses first descended from Mount Sinai, he had with him the higher law inscribed on stone tablets. However, the undeveloped condition of the Israelites prevented them from understanding. Moses returned to Mount Sinai and returned with another set of tablets containing the lower law that was much easier for the people to comprehend. The higher law was only shared with a few capable of understanding its meaning.^[25] This appears to coincide with one of Summum's precepts that states, "The voice of wisdom is silent, except to the OPEN MIND," <ref name="SummumBook" /> and in this aspect, Summum resembles an esoteric religious movement.

Freedom of speech

Summum followers have gained a certain small notoriety of late in that they have proposed that their Seven Aphorisms be placed in public places alongside the Ten Commandments, specifically in several locations in Utah.^[26] It is unclear from the available documentation what the precise form of these seven aphorisms would take on these proposed monuments. Perhaps just a list of the seven principles, perhaps something more. Christians and town fathers have objected on the basis that the Ten Commandments are of great historic significance to the United States, and as such are not solely a religious statement, whereas the seven aphorisms are a modern philosophy with no significant historical bearing on the country. Nevertheless, Summum has prevailed in litigation where the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Summum was denied its right to free speech and governments had engaged in discrimination.^[27][28] The governments, however, elected to remove their Ten Commandments monument rather than allow Summum to erect its Seven Aphorisms monument.<ref name="APNews" />

Summum and the golden ratio

Summum has incorporated the golden ratio into the design of their Summum Pyramid winery in Utah, and maintains that because it is the human mind that interprets the characteristics and qualities of the golden ratio, it should be considered in its relation to the human psyche. According to Summum, our mental states dictate our sense of harmony and disharmony, and the resulting experiences become part of our memories that then hold us captive. ^[29]

See also

• SUMMUM
• Summum Pyramid

References

Specific references

General references

External links

• The organization and philosophy of Summum
• Mummification services and information
• Summum content geared for kids