Human consciousness is characterized by incomplete knowledge; it forms conclusions which are "relative" to what is perceived. The earth appeared to be flat to a limited consciousness (relative) but the true form of the earth was discovered to be spherical as more information was obtained (absolute).
I would agree that our knowledge is limited, and that our consciousness has a 'vectorial' or 'directional' aspect ('intentionality'). But your flat Earth vs. spherical Earth example doesn't work. Understanding that the Earth isn't flat doesn't require us to transition from 'relative' consciousness to 'absolute' consciousness; it just requires us to recognize a mistake and correct it (same consciousness before and after, but before it had got things wrong and afterwards it got them right).
You wrote:
A building is conceived, designed and then constructed. It's absolute nature is in the original plan. If that building becomes damaged or destroyed (relative state) that does not change the absolute, original nature of that building. If for whatever reason that building is perceived incorrectly, that does not change the true nature of that building (the incorrect perception does create a false, relative reality for someone). The physical (relative) manifestation of the building is ultimately not as substantial as the original (absolute) idea or concept. The idea or concept (spiritual realm) has no limit of time, space or material.
You seem to be a practicing Platonist—whether consciously or not, I'm not sure. Plato's ways of speaking are enshrined in our language, particularly in the distinction you're employing between 'relative' (physical) and 'absolute' (ideational). However, he distinguished between 'ideational' and 'spiritual'; he thought 'ideas' were independent of 'mind' (human or divine).
You wrote:
String theory, etc. attempts to describe a relative manifestation of the absolute creative Principal. That absolute creative Principal is Spiritual. There lies the rub: it is difficult, if not impossible, to describe the absolute in relative terms. It is like the "deadly embrace" of computer programming - it creates an infinite circle, a lock-up, escape from which requires external input. I contend that is where human consciousness is now, locked up in a mortal, material illusion. And, the way out is knowledge - spiritual knowledge which may come from science, religion, both or from somewhere yet unknown.
A few comments:
You wrote:
To live in the spiritual is to live in the unlimited realm of perfection with infinite possibilities of expression. That concept is almost incomprehensible to human thought but we are slowly getting closer to the truth.
I don't doubt your sincerity. But too often terms like 'unlimited' and 'perfection' and 'infinite possibilities' are used panegyrically rather than meaningfully, as a way of exalting a condition or state rather than describing it. There's no evidence that such a state as you describe has ever existed or could exist. Again (you know what I'm going to say next), in the absence of evidence, I prefer not to speculate.
As the justly famous singer/philosopher, Stevie Wonder, put it:
When you believe in things you don't understand,
Then you suffer,
Superstition ain't the way, no, no, no
I agree that the "flat earth" example is quite limited but when human consciousness progressed from that appearance based conclusion to a more valid realization, it made an evolutionary step in the process of progress. It takes many such steps to reach what could be called an enlightened state of consciousness. Even in today's world it is possible to see the great difference between those living in amazing ignorance and those who are constantly striving for knowledge and are thereby raising their state of consciousness.
However, he (Plato) distinguished between 'ideational' and 'spiritual'; he thought 'ideas' were independent of 'mind' (human or divine).
That does not make sense to me. Mind is the source of ideas. The human mind and its ideas manifest as material experience (illusion) and Divine Mind and Its ideas define ultimate reality (Spiritual).
there's zero evidence that consciousness exists, or has ever existed, apart from this mortal, material illusion. In the absence of evidence, I prefer not to speculate.
There IS evidence of a Spiritual power beyond the mortal, material illusion. There are books filled with accounts of Spiritual healings which defy material explanation. Just enter Spiritual healing into a search engine. Just one example is the work of the "sleeping prophet" Edgar Cayce. Also, virtually every religion has verified examples of spiritual healings. Because you are unaware of something or unwilling to believe it does not constitute an absence of evidence.
There's no evidence that such a state as you describe has ever existed or could exist.
As I explained above, there have been occurrences throughout human history which could not be explained in mortal/material terms; from this evidence it is reasonable to conclude that there is a realm beyond that which we are now perceiving. As I also explained above, there are things which exist first as an idea which may (or may not) be manifested in various ways (the building example). Do you believe that a building could exist without first being conceived in the mind of an architect or builder? That state where conception takes place is clearly different than the material state where the building is constructed. That is also evidence that there are realms other than the material.
As the justly famous singer/philosopher, Stevie Wonder, put it: When you believe in things you don't understand, Then you suffer, Superstition ain't the way, no, no, no
A very disappointing source for philosophical profundity. I have believed my whole life in a Spiritual Power which I do not completely understand and that faith has always provided helpful, sound, protective and empowering results - including experiences in extremely difficult human circumstances such as war, disease, severe injury, personal loss, etc. There was occasional suffering involved but it was only brought about by the human conditions not the faith in a power above those conditions. I doubt seriously that this unquestionable and reliable force for good in my life was the result of superstition.