The steeds that draw my chariot were conducting me to the farthermost reach of my desire, bringing me at length on to the resounding road of the Goddess, along which he who knows is borne through all cities. She said to me "Never shall it be proven that not-being is. From that path of inquiry restrain your mind. Do not let custom, born of everyday experience, tempt your eyes to be aimless, your ear and tongue to be echos. Let reason be your judge when you consider this much disputed question. The heart when left to itself misses the road." She continued further, "Come, then, listen to my word and take heed of it: I will tell you of the two roads of inquiry which offer themselves to the mind. The one way that It Is and cannot not-be, is the way of credibility based on truth. The other way, that It Is Not and that non-being must be, cannot be grasped by the mind; for you cannot know not-being and cannot express it." Parmenides 515 BCE

I once frequently asked astronomers that if the universe is of a finite size, then what 'is' beyond the universe and most said to me there is nothing beyond the universe. But when they are pressed further about what 'nothing is' they are always unable to answer. But if they respond "what is beyond the universe" is contradictory because anything that is beyond the universe is actually "in" the universe.

I found an incredibly good presentation on Parmenides' thoughts by Professor Footy and the music is wonderfully soothing.